Wairarapa Times-Age MONDAY, MAY 16, 1938. BRITAIN’S AIR DEFENCES.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 May 1938, Page 6

Wairarapa Times-Age MONDAY, MAY 16, 1938. BRITAIN’S AIR DEFENCES.

JN spite of the vigour with which its air defence plans and preparations have been defended in both Houses of Parliament, it seems clear that the British Government finds itself in this matter in an extremely awkward predicament. Demands for an extended and independent inquiry into all aspects of air defence, both active and passive, are being raised, not only by the Opposition parties, but by some of the Government’s own supporters, including Mr Winston Churchill, and this with an insistence which apparently will not easily be withstood.

So far as the Parliamentary ..debates have been reported, the Government seems to have held its own very well, its spokesmen making out a strong case. It certainly must be regarded as significant, and from the standpoint of the Government extremely disturbing, however, that the demands for an inquiry apparently are being pressed as vigorously now that the debates are over as before they had opened. The suggestion conveyed is that a detailed statement of Government’s policy and administration where air defence is concerned has failed to carry conviction or to give satisfaction to critics some of whom are numbered among its own supporters.

It may be supposed that some of those who are thus pressing the Chamberlain Government and making its position difficult are not thinking only of air defence, but are induced by their dissatisfaction with other aspects of the Government’s policy to make the most of the present movement of revolt. Much of the opposition that was aroused at the time of Mr Anthony Eden’s retirement from the post of Foreign Secretary may have been suppressed temporarily rather than permanently.

One of the suggestions cabled at the end of last week was that a further Parliamentary vote might be averted if the Secretary for Air (Viscount Swinton) j and the Parliamentary Secretary for Air (Lord W inter.! on) resigned, necessitating a far-reaching reconstruction ol of the Cabinet. It seems rather doubtful, however, whether the situation can be smoothed over in this way, particularly if it is true, as reported in London, that if Mr Chamberlain refuses an inquiry over a hundred Conservatives will be confronted with the alternatives of abstaining from an important division or voting against the Government.

Whatever the precise gravity of the position may be and whatever Cabinet changes, if any, are needed to restore stability, it is evidently desirable that an adjustment should be reached as speedily as possible. Particularly in critical days like these, Britain needs at the head of affairs a Government commanding a full measure of assured support in Parliament and in the country.