IMPERIAL AIR FORCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 March 1922, Page 5

IMPERIAL AIR FORCE.

ITS VALUE EMPHASISED. SEPARATE AIR MINISTRY. AIR LEADERSHIP AIMED AT. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received March 22, 10.5 p.m. London, March 21. In presenting the air estimates, Captain F. Guest welcomed the Government’s decision tq retain a separate autonomous Air Ministry. After the Geddes cuts, the Air Force would consist of 31 squadrons, of which 19J would be abroad. Illustrating the value of the force, he related that only last week two aeroplanes stationed at Aden flew over the Red Sea and within two days subdued a rebellious tribe which stole 4000 cattle. The Air Force was proving cheap and effective, becoming the “handy man” of the fighting services. France had over sixty air sqpadrons, and proposed an even larger programme. The GoveTSi. --L could not accept Sir Eric Geddes’ proposed abolition of 84 home squadrons, which were required , for cooperation with the Army and Navy. The estimates had been reduced by £6,500,000. In consequence of most of the Dominions’ refusal to support the airship service, he had reluctantly begun to sell the airships. He strongly favored the maintenance of the cross-Channel services, which he regarded as training operation for linking up the Empire. The Ministry intended steadily to develop further links in the Imperial chain. General Seely thought the air economies had gone far enough. Field-Marshal Wilson challenged the wis•dom of an independent Air Force, which was not supported by any soldier or sailor of eminence who participated in the late war. He pleaded for more generous support of civil aviation. Colonel W. E. Guinness moved an amendment providing that all defence forces be represented and co-ordinated, the Imperial Defence Committee meeting frequently, with a Minister outside the Defence Department as vice-chairman.

Mr. Winston Churchill said if the war had lasted a few months longer we would have seen vast operations conducted from the East Coast upon Berlin and the heart of Germany, which would have increased in magnitude, but the supply of Germany ran out. It must be remembered that Britain had lost her insular position, on which her greatness stood. We must be sure we had leadership in the air. The only way of securing the co-ordination of the Army, Navy and Air Force was through the Ministry of Defence, but it could not possibly be achieved at present. Colonel Guinness withdrew his amend-ment.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.