IN THE AIR.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 February 1916, Page 5

IN THE AIR.

WHERE ARE THF HORNETS? AIR .SERVICE CRITICISED Received Feb. IT, 8.5 p.m. London, Feb. 18. Tlic House of Commons was crowded to bear the discussion on the Premier's speech, Mr. Joynson Hicks moved an amendment tliat tlie House regretted that the speech had not mentioned proposals for placing the air service on a firmer basis. He said that the new arm of the service had revolutionised warfare. Mr. Churchill, in March, 1915, had referred to the swarm of hornets which would attack any visiting Zeppelins. Where were they at present? Our men or. the Western front were outclassed.

A letter from an M.P. at the front (said Mr. Hicks) describes German machines as cruising slowly out of their lines, treating with contempt our antiaircraft guns. Tlie air service should be under control of one man, and it was absolutely necessary to know who was responsible for the air service. Lord French had quite enough to do without Ibis. When the Zeppelins were last here they passed the coast in broad daylight, flying very low, but the anti-aircraft corps was still armed with guns that were used in the Boer war and were utterly useless. A strong offensive was much better than a defensive.warfare.

Mr. Tcnnant, In replying;, stated that the air service was constantly developing, and it was intended for offensive, not defensive, purposes. The most that could be done was to protect the vulnerable points in such a way that the enmies' losses would be so great as to act is a deterrent.

GOVERNMENT'S PRECAUTIONS. THE SITUATION REORGANISED. Continuing, Mr. Tennant said that he would not give an assurance as to whether the Government grasped the gravity of the situation, but would simply state the action the Government had taken. The Government had made strides towards providing proper defences, but a system of defence for every part of the British Isles crmld never be complete. From to-day. the Navy would deal with all hostile aircraft attempting to reach the country, and the army would deal with air.xift which, reached our shores. A standing naval military committee would be formed to co-ordinate in the questions of supplies and materials. Admiral Sir Percy Scott wouH bo transferred to the War Office in command of air gunnery, and the Ministry of Munitions would be responsible for the armament of aerial defence. Steps would be taken to give more adequate warnings of raids.

Mr. Tennant protested against the panic which the debate endeavored to create, and assured the House that everything was being done to produce more aeroplanes, guns, and pilots.

Mr. H. Samuel said that the restriction of the lighting order practically applied to the whole of England. The system of warning was nearly complete, and the Government had also given greater liberty to the press for reporting actual circumstances of a raid. The whole world should know the truth of these murderous outrages.

ME. BALFOUR GIVES INFORMATION. Mr. A. J. Balfour said that the progress of the flying force had been prodigious. Everybody knew we were still behind-hand, but orders had been given wherever there were possible manufacturing possibilities in Britain. The Allies and America had been used to the utmost, but were not yet supplying the full orders. Everyone desired aggressive action, especially the Government, but this required powerful machines which were difficult to obtain quickly. Every nerve was strained to the utmost to get the necessary guns for air defence, And it was utterly misleading to say that the Government had shown any neglect.

Mr. Balfour said that improvements would go on and go on. He was sorry they had not developed the right lightev-than-air ship, not so much for aggression or defence as for martitime purposes and other scouting. The Germans had an advantage in this matter which we , ere doing our best to remove. The Ad■miralty had considered the possibility of Zeppelins partaking in a fleet action. Mr. Bonax Law, as a member of the War Council, which had special sources of information, said the Council had made enquiries and he was surprised that there were not greater defects in the air services, since Britain was so unprepared for the kind of struggle in which she was now engaged. The greatest need was that of engines. He had recently visited Paris, where he took the opportunity to find out the position of the French air service, and he had come to the conclusion that the British service at the front was as good, if not I better, than any combatant. ,

Mr. Joynson Hicks withdrew his amendment. ■-,,..