BRITISH AIR POLICY.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 February 1925, Page 3

BRITISH AIR POLICY.

MINTS'!' EIi’S CU’TI.INT

APHTHA!,IAN AND N.Z. CAIII.K ASSOCIATION

LONDON. February 2.5. In tjio I louse* of Commons, .Sir Samuel I loni c, (Air Minister) introducing tlic air forces cslimnlcs, snid the increases would cost L'l ,072.001). These mainly were due to u scheme for the expansions of the air force and to the exhaustion of war stock, necessitating the purchase of new equipment. There had never lieen a national defence

question supported with greater unan0* iiuity among the party leaders. Regular squadrons, for the first time since the war, were lining equipped with new types of machines, fifteen out of Id squadrons would he so equipped by the end of liic year. Furthermore, aviation with 'lion-regular units would he introduced for tiic first time in military aviation. A further experiment was the introduction of a large civilian element in the regular lighting units, to carry out the less important non-flying duties. The principle of operational unity of command had also been introduced in air defence by building up the air force on these lines their defence would be so strong that it would make the risk of attack not worth wldle,

Sir S. Moure reminded the Mouse that Britain's inferiority at present was one to three, compared with their old friend and ally. It would he some years before we were numerically equal to France.

Sir S. Moure continued by emphasising the potentiality of air power for Umpire defence, lie said: “If our air power in defence were made more mobile. we could save many men ami much money.” Me instanced the economy effected in the garrisoning of Iraq with an air force. This principle must lie applied to airship development. Me said, regarding research, that he had attempted to initiate an organisation in the Air .Ministry to develop scientific research. Me had consulted leading scientists in connection with this subject, and had put on the estimates the largest sum for research that had been allocated in anv year since the war.

The experiment of training reserve pilots in civil schools was developing. 'I he number of reserve pilots would he raised to 725 in the ensuing year. Me hoped next summer that a number of light aeroplane clubs would he started. As regards civil transport, the .Minister emphasised the necessity of developing some long distance routes for the Empire for the purpose of demonstrating the advantage of air transport. One of the immediate difficulties which must be overcome was tbe impossibility of living over Germany in the present international situation. I’elerring to the development of the commercial stage of the airship line between Fugland and the Dominions, operated by private enterprise, not by the Stale. Sir S. Monro said that risks must on no account he taken. 'I he very Inundation of the problem was the problem

of safety. .Mr Philip Snowden, on Ik hall ol the Labour Party, opposed the new policy that was contained in the estimates, which were based on the old. had, vicious, futile methods of thinking that security depended on huge armaments. Colonel Wedgwood lienn appealed to the Government to go slow, pending a definite step being taken regarding disa rmainont.

Mg _,,r W. Greaves Lord (Conservative, .Norwood) moved an amendment demanding that measures he taken to ie dure the accidents. Sir S. Mon re replied that the number of accidents in proportion to the time flown was decreasing, lie stated that mi order had been placed m America for a number of Irving type of parachutes, which had saved lives m cers* lain kinds ol accidents. The amendment was iiegaliied am the motion was carried by 270 to loi. Replying to the Labour amendment to reduce the air force vote, m order to condemn the waste and futility o all armaments, Sir S. Monro said that the Government was equally anxious for a reduction of armaments. The Prime Minister had authorised him to snv that the Government would take the first possible opportunity whether by conference or other methods, to make effective what he believed was the wish of every member of the H'i<i«r. The amendment was rejected by -li to 25, and the air estimates agreed to.

A9IERICSM

SALE OK LIQUOR LEGAL. [I’P.'JTEUS Tki.EllIIA M3.] (Receive,! tm» tiav ut °- 23 a m/ ' XK\V YORK. ry 23. A telegram, says the seizure ol a British schooner over the too ol iollowing a sole of twenty-live eases oi liquor to special agents of the l mted States Internal Revenue Department in October last nineteen miles oil the coast, has l.een decided as legal, the United States District (Court Judge holtline the sale took place beyond the twelve miles limit, and was therefore a local transaction.