DETAILED PLANS.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 363, 18 February 1937, Page 5

DETAILED PLANS.

NAVY AND AIR FORCE. No Effort To Be Spared In Modernisation. (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, Feb. 16. Heavy naval ependiture must be incurred In the next tew years to bring It up t<> the strength necessary to perform Its functions, says the White Paper on defence. A considerable number of existing ships are already or will shortly become over age. Only three of the 15 capital ships are of post-war construction. The Navy’s average cost In 1931-34 was under £12,000,000, but in 1936 it was nearly £50,000,000 and in 1937 it will he substantially hlglhi er ‘ "Preliminary steps will be taken to order three CnpitaTthips. each cost mg £8,000,900, in the financial year, also seven cruisers and additional aircraft carriers. I-’ “Heavy cost is also Involved in modernising existing vessels, includ ing improved anti-aircraft defence, the modernisation' of dockyards and other naval establishments. There will also be a big increase in the Navy’s personnel. “No effort will be spared to bring the Air Force up to a level deemed requisite for safety. The personnel has risen from 31,000 in 1934 to over 50,000 in 1936. A further large increase is contemplated, also the acquisition of a large number of new aerodromes and the provision of new training stations at home and abroad. “The defence of overseas bases also requires additions to meet the menace of air attack. Increased protection will be provided for important ports abroad in the form of anti-air-craft batteries and searchlights. The modernisation of coast defences at home and abroad will also involve considerable; expenditure. “While army recruiting has shown a slight improvement measures are being abopted to make the service more attractive, involving a considerable increase in maintenance Costs’. Two new Infantry battalions will be raised shortly, also new tank battalions. “The home defence programme includes more effluent anti-aircraft measures. Now an.l more efficient guns are being manufactured, also large numbers of searchlights ami balloons for barrages, with the object of en suriug 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.