BRITAIN'S AIR SERVICE.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 124, 26 May 1916, Page 5

BRITAIN'S AIR SERVICE.

DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS LONDON, May 25. In the House of Lords, the air service debate was continued by Galway, who said it was hard to think that after 21 months it was necessary to inquire what the Government's air policy was. It had not yet possessed Mr. Churchill's promised air fleet. Lord Haldand said our weakness in air ships was due to the Admiralty's failure to accommodtae itself to the new conditions.

Lord Curzon said the nation had every reason to be proud of its air service). A marvellous achievement had been accomplished since the war. Our services wag second to none in enterprise, and we need not fear comparisons with the Germans. Our men at the front were showing mastery in the air in daily conbats. Britajjn was now better defended against air raids, and invaders were becomingmore and more chary, though they might ..be especially concerned in applying science to air problems. There was much to be done in co-ordinating and organising material and supplying the machines. The board would consist of himself. Admirals Tudor, Vaughan and Lee. Generals Henderson and Brancker, Mayor Baird and Lord Sydenham. Lord Curzon agreed that a single department under a Minister, with wide powers was the best solution, but the present was not an opportune time. There was not sufficient agreement between the War Of- . fice and the Admiralty. An attempt 'would mean dislocation and friction, j but complete unification would come I in time, as conscription had come, by' general agreement and with the support of the two services and their Ministers. It would be the board's duty to report thereupon when the time ' was ripe. Meanwhile, they should en- ! deavour to prevent rivalry and over- I lapping of the services. The Board ! was already examining- questions of long range offensives, anti-raid defences; the development of airships and aeroplanes; and a great variety of questions regarding equipment, inven- i tions and training facilities and national factories. The debate lapsed. :