BRITAIN’S AIR FORCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 299, 9 March 1928, Page 9

BRITAIN’S AIR FORCE

| ESTIMATES FOR 1928 CO-OPERATION WITH THE DOMINIONS By Cable. —Press Association. — Copyright. Reed. 9.5 a.m. LONDON, Thursday. The Air Estimates for 1928 amount to a net total of £16,250,000, an increase on last year f £700,000. The Secretary for Air, Sir Samuel Hoare, in a memorandum explains that omitting special appropriations there is a gross decrease of £851,000. Despite the provision of £200,000 for the expansion of the fleet air arm, a decrease has been effected in the year, during which the Royal Air Force, as distinct from the fleet air arm, has been enlarged by two new flights of flying boats. Two new squadrons have been formed in India. The two new flights bring the air units allotted for fleet work up to 25 flights. Considerable progress has been made in co-operation and uniformity with the air forces of the Dominions, discussed at the Imperial Conference. Officers who joined the R..A.F. on short-service commissions, after initial training in Australia, have proved themselves valuable and efficient. —A. and N.Z. NAVY SAVES MILLION British Wireless—Press Assn.—Copyright RUGBY, Wednesday. Nearly £1,000,000 was saved on the estimated expenditure for the British Navy last year. The actual expenditure, as stated in a White Ps.per issued to-day was about £61,000,000. There was no supplementary estimate during the year, and the additional expenditure incurred is estimated by the Admiralty at about £140,000. This is to be met out of the savings. —A. and N.Z.