AIR ARMAMENTS

Hokitika Guardian, 16 March 1933, Page 5

AIR ARMAMENTS

THE BRITISH VOTE R.A.F. IS FIFTH ON THE LIST. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, March 14. Sir Philip Sassoon, Under Secretary for air, presented the Air Force estimates in the House of Commons. He said that contributions to economy made by the force had not been made without anx.ety. There was apparent .a), rise of £BOOO in the total Air Force vote of £17,424,000. That concealed a reduction of £340,000, following a decrease of £700,000 last year. No new units were provided for, although ten regular squadrons were still required to complete a modest programme approved as long ago as IS23'

Pending the outcome of the Disarmament Conference they once again were prepared to act on a continuance of the serious existing disparity between the strength of the Royal Air Force and that of the air services of other great nations. In terms of first line strength, the . Royal Air Force stood to-day only fifth on the list of air powei’S) although at the end of the Great War Britain hnd a larger number of trained flying personnel and a lager total number of aircraft than any other nation. -■ Their decision, therefore, again to postpone overtaking arrears on the modest) programme deemed to be the minimum necessary in 1923 was a gesture of importance which would not, he hoped be overlooked.

DANGER WOULD BE FROM AIR.

DEFENCE CONCENTRATION URGED.

LONDON, .March 14.

In the House of Commons, Mr MacLean (Labour) said b e believed that all air forces represented terrorism, which Mr Baldwin had expressed on November 10th last in the House. This fear would one day be loosed on civilisation.

Mr Churchill agreed with-Mr Baldwin’s declaration in the House iof Commons on November 10, that airpower might either end war or end civilisation, hut he said that Mr Baldwin’s speech had aroused alarm without offering guidance or a solution. In the . .-present condition of Europe, France could not be expected to reduce her air force while Germany’s remained as it’ was now. While not abandoning the hope of an international agreement, he said we should .not base the life of Britain thereon. .We . would be well advised to concentrate upon air defence With great vigour.

MACDONALD AND MUSSOLINI'.

MEETING PRACTICALLY CERTAIN

LONDON, March 15

Press correspondents agree that a meeting 1 etween Mr Ramsay MacDonald and Signor Mussolini is practically certain during the coming week-end, probably at St. Resa.

“The Times” says: Such a meeting is desirable, and the sooner the better. A genuine understandng regarding the present policy between the head of the Fascist State and the Bijitish Pnjme Minister might yet turn the activities of the Disarmament Conference into fruitful channels, and prepare the way for a successful World Conference. MR MACDONALD’S PLAN. . GENEVA, March 15. It is understood that Mr MacDonald is preparing to draft a convention embodying the prohibition of certain war materials, the signatories undertaking not to resort to force in the settlement of international disputes. VISIT TO ROME ARRANGED. (Received this day at 10.40 a.m.) LONDON, March 15. Mr MacDonald and Sir John Simon will visit Signor Mussolini at Rome on March 18. GERMAN ATTITUDE UNALTERED BERLIN, March )A. Rt. Hon. Sir Horace Rumbold (British Ambassador to Germany) discussed with Herr von Neurath (German Foreign Minister) the present situation with special reference to disarmament. Von Neurath replied that Germany’s attitude was unaltered. She expected others to disarm, and also expected to be given full arms equality. PRESENT TEMPER OF EUROPE. GENEVA, March 14. The British spokesman declares that an adjournment of the Disarmament Conference would he useless, in view of the present temper of Europe, which is visibly degenerating. DE VALERA TO VISIT ROME. (Received this day at 12 noon). LONDON, March 15. De Valera will visit Rome mi K'v 15, and is expected to meet Signor Mussolini.