A MINISTER’S BAD SLIP.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 March 1924, Page 3

A MINISTER’S BAD SLIP.

BURNEY AIR SCHEME KILLED (“Sydney Sun” Cables). (Received this day at 11.25 a.m.) LONDON. .March 13. “Commander Burney s scheme is dead and dune lur. -Ji ‘-‘‘ath killed it in one tragic moment when he foolishly. im.\ criminally, disclosed to the Commons, a single fact from the Committee ol Imperial Defence secret report, that Sir R. 1 lull re. then Air Minister, wrote therein that Government knew the subsides were never repaid.” Thus, commented a highly placed aeronautic authoritv. adding, “There is no use trying ‘t„ explain to countries like Franco. Germany, Italy and America, what Honre meant. They know he expressed the Government's willingness to embark on the Burney scheme because it would provide the country with peaceful equipment, convertible at a mo meat’s notice into the most destructive weapon of war No nation could protest against Britain subsidising a Heel of airships to run on commercial hues, hut it is a difficult matter altogether, offering a subsidy, knowing all hclorefiand. as Hoare inferred, that Die money was virtually voted for !l militarist purpose. The scheme henceforth would he branded throughout the world as a militarist scheme. Ihe disclosure places a tim- weapon m the hands of our enemies. ’1 lie.v will fail to use it, There is no saving where beach’s inexperience will can) him and the nation. His resignation is expected. A child should know that the Defence Committee’s record* should be more secure than Cabinets, or even the Confessional. Besides, there is the suspicion that he was easily influenced and apparently toll at the first moment in office Di the me* of heavier than air cranks.”