BRITISH ARMY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 March 1940, Page 6

BRITISH ARMY

WAR MINISTER’S COMMENT ON EXPANSION

TRIBUTE TO HOME DEFENCE

FORCES.

HAPPY RELATIONS WITH FRANCE.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Day, 12.20 p.m.) LONDON. March 12.

Introducing the Army Estimates in the House of Commons. Mr. Oliver Stanley (War Minister) said the Army had not yet been subjected to the same intensive test as the Navy and Air Force. Our security, he said, depended on the 'security of France. Our resources in man-power and industry demanded the production of an army on a sufficient scale ■ to ensure security and make us worthy of the position of vastly different from those of the last a Great Power.

British and French relations were war. Then we were Allies, now we are friends. Mr. Stanley paid a tribute to ■the Home Defence Forces, particularly the constant vigil by the anti-aircraft units. Dealing with the average age of men in the Army, he said that if further expansion macle a considerable difference in the average age, special measures would be taken to obtain an additional stiffening of older men.

' Speaking of the administration side, he said he was’ not yet satisfied with the reorganisation of certain branches of the War Office. Wholly satisfactory steps were being taken to ensure effective co-operation between the Ministries of War and Supply. There had been some cases of wanton wastage and carelessness in Army camps, which were being disciplined.