BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 February 1924, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

LATEST CABLE NEWS

ICBTItALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. MINISTRY ENDANGERED. LONDON, February 19. The first evening fitting of the House of Commons was devoted to Siry'" Samuel Hoarc’s motion on the question of air defence, wherein the ex-Air .Minister invited the House to affirm the principle u f maintaining a homo defence air force of sufficient strength to give adequate protection against the strongest air force within strikirig-»irs-tanet of British shores. Sir S. Hoare contrasted the Anglo-French services, the former with a hundred first-line machines compared with France’s thousand. Ho stated that his resoltion followed lines agreed upon by the Dominion Premiers, and embodied a programme costing five or six millions (or annum. It was more vitally important to the safety of the countj£__. than any other phase of national defence. He asked for an assurance that the Government was anxious to see civil aviation developed. Mr Loach, replying, stated there would he no change at present regarding; the expansion of the Air Force as alieadv planned. He declared the war had killed the doctrine that, in order !o got peace, von must prepare for var. All the nations that prepared most got the most war. The Government would do its utmost to facilitate ail international aircraft disarmament conference. Ho declared" TtjsJ legacies of development inherited from the old Government would he fulfilled. They were anxious to foster civil aviation, and to encourage the devolopm< m of airships. He concluded that Army and Navy might repel land attacks, hut the Air Force could not pu;vont air raids. The only adequate defence was a changed international atmosphere. CVlonul Seeley declared that Home had listened to a most astonishing doctrine, which would mean the disbandment of the Army and Navy if followed to its logical conclusion. Tl ey must challenge the Government. (Opposition cheers). Mi J. H. Thomas stated the Government’s policy was definitely to make t> e Air Force adequate, and, whilst recognising the necessity for defence, and realising the Imperial aspects of the question, ami giving an assurance of continuity oil the first stages of tlie programme, the Government reserved the right to do nothing which" would prevent them working for disarmament. The hoped the House would reject the motion. The Speaker refused to accept a closure amendment, which Sir S. Hoaro moved, because he was of opinion that a debate on a matter of this magnitude in such a short period ought to lie resumed when the Air Estimates came up for discussion. The motion was talked out. Tile “Daily Mail’’ says: The Speaker’s refusal to accept the closure motion on the Air debate saved the Government from possible defeat. Mr beach’s pacifist tone shook the confidence of tlie Conservatives.. The Liberals roared with delight at Mr Braba7,nil’s reminder that they lived in a world of men, not angels, and he hoped that the Government would not he tempted to risk their salaries hy forci ig a division.