AERIAL DEFENCE.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17973, 19 March 1930, Page 5

AERIAL DEFENCE.

BRITISH ESTIMATES.

INCREASE ON LAST YEAR’S FIGURES MINISTERIAL STATEMENT. (Official Wireless.) (Received March 19, 12.30 p.m.) RUGBY, March 18. In introducing the Air estimates in the House of Commons, Mr F. Montague, Under-Secretary for Air, said the revised total of last year's estimates allowing for a supplementary estimate of £7 GO,OOO was £10,900,000. This year there was an increase of £890,000 and the total was £17,§50,000. The increase was due mainly to the provision of up-to-date equipment, which was essential alike for safety and efficiency as well as for the coming needs of civil aviation and additional outlay . on scientific research work.

During the financial year ending .March 31, five additional squadrons would have been added to the establishment of the air force for the purpose of home defence. One of these was a regular squadron and the other four were organised on an auxiliary basis. It was intended that 25 per cent, of Home defence should be on this non-regular basis, but at the present time the proportion was nearly 33 per cent. Moderate and Unprovocative. Mr Montague stressed the moderation and unprovocative character of the Air policy, and instanced the successful use of air power in Palestine, Koweit, Iraq, Sudan and the Aden protectorate. He also mentioned achievements in engine construction, including winning the Schneider Cup. 'Pile increase in Hie civil vote was mainly due to the provision of an additional subsidy for an air service to South Africa. The England-India service had been extended to Delhi and the section to Calcutta would be ready at the end of March. It. was Imped that by the autumn Rangoon would be connected and proposals had been submitted for the remaining section between Rangoon and Australia. Parity Agreement Suggested. Sir Samuel Hoare pointed out that Britain was only fourth or fifth in the list of air powers, and added that America, France and Italy were at present engaged on a programme of further extension. He suggested that endeavours should be made to reach a parity agreement between the great powers of Western Europe-France, Italy and Britain. If such an agreement could be reached there would be less risk of air armaments going up and that agreement would be the best basis for a more general agreement to bo reached between all the Powers of the world.

In the debate on the naval estimates, after Mr C. G. Ammon, Parliamentry Secretary to the Admiralty had stated that the Government’s proposals were subject to the outcome of the Naval Conference, Mr Russell withdrew his amendment.