Arming in the Cause of Peace

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 41, 18 February 1937, Page 7

Arming in the Cause of Peace

£1,500,000,000 Wanted in Next Five Years SACRIFICE MUST BE BORNE. (British Official Wireless). RUGBY, Feb. 16. In a speech the Minister for Wax, the Hon. A. Duff Cooper, said that Britain peas arming in order to promote the cause of peace in the world. The British Empire had no greater interest than that of peace. In arming for peace they were also arming for the interests if Britain. There was a general feeling, he said, that the emergency was so great'and the danger so real that, whatever sacrifices might be necessary, those seen flees must be borne. A statement relating to the defence expenditure has been issued. The White Paper states that it is possible that the level of expenditure over the next two or three years might be much heavier than in the current year. It is not at present possible to determine what will be the peak year of defence expenditure. Taking the programme as it stands to-day, however, it would be imprudent to contemplate total expenditure on defence during the next five years of much less than £1,500,000,000. On this estimate, the statement says, deeply as they deplore the necessity for this vast expenditure on armaments and other defensive measures His Majesty’s Government is convinced that it must be undertaken, MUST SECURE RELAXATION OF INTERNATIONAL TENSION Received Wednesday, 7.30 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 16. Declaring that a convincing case had been made out for the financial and economic principles of the Govern ment’s defence proposals, the Times, in a leader, says it remains for th-) House of Commons to see that value is obtained for this vast expenditure and no opportunity is lost of securing such relaxation of international tension as will make the programme and its cost elastic in tho right direction. GERMANY STARTLED. YET ADMITS BRITISH RIGHT TO ARM. Received Wednesday, 11.30 pan. BERLIN, Feb. 17. The British defence expenditure has startled Germany. “It is colossal,” said the Government spokesman. “Nevertheless, we do not deny Britain’s right to arm to the extent she deems necessary. We claim the same right.” Other German commentators question Britain’s need to arm so extensively, saying Britain’s position is far less exposed than Germany’s, because enemy aeroplanes Always take some time to reach the British coast thus enabling more efficient defence measures to be taken. DEFENCE SCHEME ALLEMBRACING. MODERN EQUIPMENT AND PLENTY OF IT. LONDON, Feb. 16. The White Paper ou defence state& that heavy naval expenditure must bo incurred in the next lew years to bring tho Navy up to the strength necessary ior it to perform its functions. A considerable number of tho existing ships are already, or w«k shortly become, over-age, and only three of the fifteen capital ships aro of post-war construction. The Navy’s average cost from 1931 to 1934 was under £12,000,000, but fur i 936 it would bo nearly £50,000,000, and in 1937 substantially higher. Preliminary steps were being taken to order three capital ships, each costing £8,000,000, in the next financial year, and also seven cruisers and additional aircraft carriers. Heavy cost was also involved in modernising existing vessels, including improved antiaircraft defence and the modernisation of dockyards and other naval establishments. * There will also bo a big increase in tho Navy's personnel. Strengthened Air Force. No effort will be spared to bring the Air Force up to tho level deemed requisite for safety. The personnel has risen from 31,000 in 1934 to over 50,000 in 1936. A further large increase was contemplated also by tho acquisition of a large number of new aerodromes and the provision of new training stations at home and abroad. The defence of overseas bases will also requiro additions to meet the menace of an attack by air. Increased protection would be provided for important ports abroad in the form ol anti-aircraft batteries and searchlights. Tho modernisation of coast defences at home and abroad would also involve considerable expenditure. While Army recruiting had shown a slight improvement, measures were being adopted to make the service more attractive, involving a considerable increase in maintenance costs. New Infantry Battalions. Two new infantry battalions will bo raised shortly, and also new tank battalions. The home defence programme includes more efficient anti-aircraft measures. New und more effective guns are being manufactured, and also large numbers of searchlights and balloons for barrages. The object is to ensure that the # air defence organisation will be readily adaptable to meet whatever type of air attack the United Kingdom might be called on to face.

Fire risks from incendiary bombs is a problem beyond tho capacity of tho normal peace-time fire brigades, and arrangements are planned to accumulate additional fire-fighting appliances. Steps are being taken to ensure that national establishments and industries vital to defence are not paralysed by a shortage of the essential raw materials 3