Britain's Need For Strength

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 42, 19 February 1937, Page 7

Britain's Need For Strength

United Press Assn.—By Elei r RUGBT, Feb. 17. A two-days debate on defenc( Was opened in the House of Com mons by the Rt. Hon. Nevilli Chamberlain, who referred to th( vast increase in the cost of armaments since the close of the Greal War. Every country had beer making an effort to increase its own striking power by the inven tion and development of new weapons, new means of transport and new equipment, and every new means of offence called foi some corresponding developmen! in defence. He hardly knew which was the more expensive oi the two. Britain, with her vast responsibilities and multidinous vulnerable points ; could not neglect equipment either fox defence or offence. It must equip itself at Home and along all its lines of communication with the newest methods of repelling attack and it must provide itsolf with forces capable of being dispatched wherever wanted. If circumstances changed so as to permit the reduction of the programme fcbe Government would be thankful enough to reduce it, but, just as conditions had changed to the disadvan* tage of' Britain, since the inception of rearmament, so they might again, and they might find that £1,500,000,000 was insufficient. Mr. Chamberlain proceeded to defend the loan proposal. H© contended that, if the amount were raised through additional taxation, the burden would cripple resources and throw back the whole course of recovery. British strength was a steadying influence in international affairs, said Mr. Chamberlain in conclusion, and it was the greatest bulwark for peaco in tho world to-day. FURTHER DETAILG OF INTENTIONS JCjfDON, Fob. 18. The White Paper on defence states that heavy naval expenditure must be incurred in tho next few years to bring tho navy up to the strength necessary for it to perform its functions. A considerablo number of the existing ships are already, or wili shortly become, over-age, and only threo of the 15 capital ships aro of post-war construction. Tho navy’s average coat from 1931 to 1934 was under £12,000,000, but for 1936 it would be nearly £50,000,000 and in 1937 substantially higher.

Preliminary steps were being taken to order threo 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 would also be a big increase in the navy’s personnel. No effort would be spared to bring the air force up to the level deemed requisite for safety. The personnel had risen from 31,000 in 1934 to over 60,000 in 1936. A further large increase was contemplated, also the acquisition of a large number of new aerodromes and the provision of new training stations at home and abroad.

Tho defence of overseas bases would also require additions to meet the menace of an attack by air. Increased protection would be provided for important ports abroad in the form of antiaircraft batteries and searchlights. The 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. Two new infantry battalion* would be raised shortly and also new tank battalions. The home defence programme includes more efficient anti-aircraft measures. J'few and mor© effective guns are being manufactured, and also large number 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 bo called upon to face. Fire risk from incendiary bombs is a problem beyond the capacity of the normal peace-time fir© brigades, and arrangements are planned to accumulate additional jlre-fighting appliances. Steps are being taken to ensure that national establishments and industries vital to defence are not paralysed bv ■i shortage of raw materials

Influence on International Affairs

Commons Debate on Enormous Programme

'trie Telegraph.—Copyright. POLICY EXPLANATION SOUGHT IAJXS.UOJN, ret). 17. Sir Archibald Sinclair, addressing the House of Commons during the defence debate, said: "We are faced with the possibility of a triple attack against the Empire in the Tar East and the Mediterranean and a knock-out blow at the heart of the Empire. We are entitled to . know whether the Government's policy is collective security, military alliance or isolation. "This vast expenditure on anna' meats must force up prices. The Gov* ernment should satisfy us that it is taking effective measures to make these armaments unnecessary." Enunciating the policy of removing causes of armament, Sir Archibald Sinclair urged, the Government to strive for the abolition of quotas, Imperial preference and the restoration of tho open door in the colonial Empire. He also urged the appointment of couxmis* eions to investigate the grievances of dissatisfied nations. TALLY OF EIGHT-INCH CRUI3ERO (British Official Wireless.) Deceived Thursday, 7 p.ro. RUGBY, Feb. 17. Bir Samuel Hoare, in the Commons, said the number of eight-inch cruiser.-’ completed or building by the Powers were:—British Commonwealth 15, America 18, Japan 12, France and Italy 7 each, Germany 3. Hir Hamuel Hoare added that he was glad of the opportunity of saying that there was no warrant for the assertion recently made in the Press that British ships in this category were outclassed. UNITED STATES TO KEEP PACE Received Thursday, 7.40 p.rn. WASHINGTON, Feb. 18. Admiral William Leahy, chief of naval operations, gave a clear indica* tion that the Navy Department would be matching Britain in new battleship construction. At a Press conference he stated that he knew of no change in United States policy. A navy second to none, he believed, was the sentiment of the country. "If any other Power expands it* iavy appreciably, we shall have to fol.ow to maintain parity," he intimated. However, since the new British construction appeared to bo a replacement >f over-age ships, probably there was ao necessity for the United States to .mild new aircraft carriers and cruisers >ecause Britain had several old ships U those categories and America none. The belief is expressed in some quarters here that Britain does not intend to build all the shipß listed in the White Paper but the real aim is to frighten naval Powers, chiefly Italy and Germany, which refused to participate in the naval armaments agreement. NO EEQUEBT TO DOMINIONS FOE HELP Received Thursday, 7.40 p.rn. LONDON, Feb. 17. In the course of the Defence debate m the Commons, Dr. Dalton asked whether tho Dominions were going to contribute to the common cost and also whether additional contributions were hi sight from the colonies defended. Mr. Chamberlain, intervening, said:

‘ Britain has not got a single particular Bower tor an enemy nor are we in alliance with other Powers on whoso aid we can count. We must consider a whole scries of hypothetical emergencies in which we may be opposed by this or that Power. We will draw up a, defence programme to make us feel as safe as possible against this hypothetical set of circumstances. According to Sir Archibald Sinclair, the wholo croubles of the world are due to Imperial preference. If he had his way ho would probably soon have lost us tho .Empire. It is true we are dependent largely for supplies of essential materials on the Dominions and in that sense, therefore, the dispersal of the Dominions throughout the world does lay a special duty on the navy but there is no intention to call on the Dominions to contribute to the common fund. The Dominions have spent a great deal perfecting and improving their own defences and that i 3 their contribution to the common fund. No other form of contribution is under discussion at the ! present time."