DEFENCE DEBATE

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20737, 22 February 1939, Page 8

DEFENCE DEBATE

BRITAIN AND LEAGUE MR CHURCHILL’S VIEWS POWERFUL WEAPON OP CREDIT t (Official Wireless) (Received Feb. 22, 3.15 p.m.) RUGBY. Feb. 21 The Right Hon. Winston Churchill (Con.—Eppin.c , who followed Mr C. R. Attlee in the defence debate in the House of Commons, also complained of what he called rather high ton*' of the Premier’s remarks about th* League and recalled that the National

Government had fought the general election on a manifesto pledging itself to the League policy. He congratulated the Chancellor of the Exchequer on handling an immense financial task and approved the policy of using the powerful weapon of British credit to gain an advantage In the period of “bloodless war" through which they were passing. Admitting they were reaching at long last a stage of output which he had wanted to see achieved much sooner, Mr Churchill nevertheless renewed the plea for a stay of supply. They must continue on the road of achieving strength and multiplying deterrents against, aggression so that war could he avoided and from a position of strength they should be able to negotiate a general peace including disarmament.

He advocated further defence conversations with France and public affirmation that full support of British arms would be forthcoming in war.

AIR FORCE STRENGTH

INCREASE IN RECRUITING United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Feb. 20 A total of 857 recruits joined the Royal Air Force last week compared with 330 in the corresponding week of 1938. This brings the total acceptances of pilots, observers, airmen and boys since April 1, 1938, to 19,488, compared with 13,827 for the corresponding period of last year.