ARMS EXPANSION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 February 1939, Page 5

ARMS EXPANSION

PROGRESS WITH BRITISH PROGRAMME AN ENORMOUS OUTLAY ENTAILED. LEADING FACTS SUBMITTED TO PARLIAMENT. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY. February 15. Britain's total expenditure on defence in the first three years of the five years ending March. 1942, will amount to more than £1,173,000,000. and the expenditure in the third year will exceed that of the second year by about £175,000,000, and will exceed the portion of the current year's defence expenditure met from revenue by as much as £307,000,000. The White Paper containing this information goes on to say that the main reason for the substantial increase in expenditure on the defence programme lies in the extent to which it has been necessary to go to enlarge the original programme in order to make adequate provision for defence against the contingency of air attack. NO AGGRESSIVE INTENT. “It is everywhere recognised,” says the document, “that British armaments have no aggressive purpose. Britain deeply deplores the need for the expenditure of these vast sums on armaments. She has already indicated that, when other nations are prepared to consider some arrangements for limitation of armament?, she will be prepared to play her part, but in the absence of a general reduction of armaments it is inevitable that she should continue to take steps which are necessary in the light of present developments for her own protection and for the discharge of her responsibilities elsewhere.”

Regarding the progress of the rearmament programme, the White Paper states that the earlier stages have now been completed. The industrial capacity has been largely increased. New models have been designed and tried out and are in production. All three service departments are now receiving armament stores of all kinds, and the latest models in large quantities and production will continue on an increasing scale. NAVAL BUILDING. Regarding the navy, it is shown that in the three financial years before the Great War the average annual tonnage of the principal classes of warships, completed, excluding submarines, was 170,000. The completed tonnage for the year ending March, 1941, will be 219,500, while the tonnage building by the end of next month is expected to reach 659,500 The inclusion of another two capital ships in the 1939 programme makes nine of these vessels under construction. Also in the 1939 programme there will be included two destroyer flotillas, and 20 first escort vessels of new type, intended for the protection of shipping against submarine and air attacks.

Great progress has been made in the strengthening of the anti-aircraft armament of other ships of the fleet. AIRCRAFT PRODUCTION. The monthly rate of delivery of aircraft has been more than doubled during the current financial year, and will show a further substantial increase. The expenditure on air-raid precautions amounted to £3,500,000 in 1937. For the present year it is estimated to reach £9,250,000, while for the next year the estimate is £42,000,000, exclusive of assistance to vital public utility services and water emergency and fire fighting purposes estimated at £9,000,000. The system of erecting factories at Government expense and of their being managed by business men has been extended. Royal Air Force recruits during the year ending March 31, 1939, will probably reach 35,000. Over 2500 volunteer reservists are being trained as pilots.

TERRITORIAL ARMY. The Territorial Army has been reorganised to conform with the Regular Army, with the addition of motor-cycle battalions. The balloon barrage has been extended to the provinces, and comprises 47 squadrons. Air-raid precaution volunteers enrolled up to December totalled 1,150,000. Steel shelters are being provided for 10,000,000 people. Basements are being strengthened and trenches completed at a cost of £20,000,000. Fifty thousand beds and mattresses are being distributed to hospitals and institutions, and 200,000 blankets have been ordered. The Government has allotted £5,000,000 for the storage of food, fertilisers, and petroleum in 1939, compared with £8,500,000 in 1938. In conclusion it is stated: “The Government is confident that the people will be ready to bear the heavy burden involved and will share in the determination of the Government to ensure the adequacy of our defence preparations.”

PRESS APPROVAL COUNTRY READY TO BEAR BURDEN. WARNING TO DICTATORS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright ’ LONDON, February 16. All sections of the Press firmly approve of the defence programme announced yesterday. The “Daily Telegraph” says that the cost is staggering but that the country is ready to bear whatever burden will assure national security. All it asks is to receive value for its money and to receive it quickly. The "News Chronicle" says that it will show the dictators that their apparently pacific speeches have not pulled the wool over our eyes. The “Daily Express” says that the new programme will make us so strong that no enemy will dare attack us. The "Daily Mail" says that the barometer tells us that we are becoming stronger daily as the

needle of expenditure moves steadily from danger to security. The “Daily Express” says that the two new battleships in the 1939 programme will be of 40,000 tons, mounting 16-inch guns. Four large cruisers and one aircraft-carrier make a total of 43 ships for the 1939 programme. The new battleships bring the total of capital ships now under construction to nine. The "Financial News” says that with drastic economies and drastic taxation, it might be possible to keep the defence borrowing between £265.000,000 and £295,000,000 in the coming year.

EIRE FORCES EXPANSION PROPOSALS. DUBLIN, February 16. The Government has decided on a yearly capital expenditure of £5,500,000 on equipment for defence and stores. It is intended to raise the army's present strength of 21,000 men to 30,000 and to organise a defensive air force, anti-aircraft, and minesweeper services, and ail- and land coastal military patrols.