BRITISH AND FOREIGN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 February 1926, Page 3

BRITISH AND FOREIGN NEWS.

[llcuter Telegrams.] BRITAIN'S DEFENCE. (Received this day at 11.0 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 23. ‘■Bureaucracy is strangling aviation.” says the “Daily Mail's’’ air expert. Britain spends more and gets less than any oilier country. Her horde of officials are less concerned in the development of flying and construction of new powerful machines than in providing barracks lor the turning out. ol airmen on parade grounds as soldiers who are so efficient at marching past, that they could bettor lie described as a Royal Guard force.

The skilled mechanics are gravely discontented with the needless drilling and inspections. The “Daily Mail.” in a loader, says: “The air force is infected by the bow-and-arrow spirit of the Ministry and is being developed on radically fault;, lines. The. national defence costs £115,000,000, which is greater than that of any other countries and lor which the country gets no proper value. The army’s equipment is inferior to 1918 and the Admiralty’s programme is old lasldoiiod. It loates its bases and dockyards exposed to air attacks.”

SKIING FEATS. OSLO, Feb. 23. In a- skiing match near Gjovik several standing jumps of extraordinary length were made, two competitors covering as much as 228 loot. CANTON CUSTOMS. PEKIN. February 22. The consular body in Canton unanimously endorsed the Customs Commissioner's action reported earlier. Henceforth no passengers or cargo will lx: permitted entry into Canton.