THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 March 1923, Page 2

THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. AIR ESTIMATES. LONDON, March 14 Mr Hoarc, in the House of Common in introducing the Air Estimates, said the past year was one of steady progress. There was a general feeling of anxiety about Britain's air strength, in comparing it with France, which had more fully developed her air [lower. No one must form the iinpres sion that lie lielieved that war was even remotelv possible between the. two great allies. In 1925, the French would have 2,180 service machines. This country would have only aio. - This disparity was overwhelming. Has it justifiable'if they applied a onePower standard for the air. It would mean an immediate increase in the net estimates of twenty-three millions. In IRIS the British Air Force comprised .'10,122 officers and 203,410 of other ranks, and thirty-three hundred "Nj ’planes. To-day they had 3.071 officers, 27.409 other ranks, 371 first lino aeroplanes. At present, in absence of quantity, they must concentrate on the quality. From the point of view of economy, humanity, and commonsense, they ought to try and avoid a new lap in the old race for armaments. He proposed to oiler prizes amounting to fifty thousand in connection with experiments in helicopters, and to make a small grant to oncouiago gliding. Ho was also preparing a scheme to enable air reservists to tiain with certain selected firms. He hoped in a few years, to create an air reserve of one thousand officers and twelve thousand men.

Mr Hoare said that in the present estimates they sought eighteen additional squadrons, including three for co-operation with the Navy. He denied that the Navy was starved. Their naval air work was stages ahead of that of any other great

Power. He would remind the House that civil aviation, though it was a useful supplement, would never Lie n substitute for their military aviation. On the question of subsidies to civil aviation companies, the Air Ministry was prepared to negotiate with any person on a. basis of subscriptions of a million pounds in private capital, and a. State subsidy not exceeding one million, spread over a decade. Tho whole question of airships would shortly he re-opened hy the Imperial Den fence Committee. The Air Ministry held the view that airships might become very valuable as carriers ol troops, and possibly of aircraft. Sir TV. Sykes contended that a sound defensive air system was indissolubly united with international affairs and social problems. He hoped the Air Ministry would join in the scheme for the ‘ new naval base at Singapore, where an air depot would on-ally assist the air route to Australasia. It would not he possible this v,,ar for the Dominion Premiers to I,ome l,y air to the Imperial Conference. hut if was a matter of great urgency that this country should set its home defence policy in order, and have a sound, workable scheme. The vote was agreed to.