DEFENCE POLICY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 130, 14 March 1935, Page 5

DEFENCE POLICY

BRITAIN'S DESIRE FOR PEACE, NOT AN AGGRESSIVE MOVE. STATEMENT BY MR MACDONALD. (United Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 11.45 a.m.) LONDON, March 13. The reasons necessitating the adoption by the Government of the policy set forth in the recent White Paper on defence is referred to in an article which the Prime Minister contributes to this week's "News Letter," the National Labour fortnightly. He says be is greatly concerned at the way in which the peace prospects in Europe were deteriorating and at the virtual standstill reached at tho Disarmament Conference. "Some of us who are peace-lovers are not satisfied to give voice to wellused and familiar formulae," Mr MacDonald continued'. "We are determined to work to make conditions hard for aggressors and not allow nations who did not appreciate our efforts to assume that our peace lead meant that we had ceased to take practicable interest in opposing .the tendencies making for war. The White Paper makes is clear that while peace is our policy we shall not neglect obvious defence The paper was issued by the Government after full consideration and very careful review extending over many months, during which all aspects were debated and examined as a contribution of peace. Peace is its purpose throughout. For years we set an example to the world in disarmament. The most elementary necessities in our defence have been neglected. \\e felt that even to replace a gun might have been advertised as a departure from our policy of peace and disarmament. We made proposals for international agreements on armaments and have not always waited for their acceptance before doing something to carry them out ourselves. "The White Paper does nothiug except, in the possible case of the Air Estimates to increase our power ot offence. If our moral gestures cannot protect the world from increasing offensive armaments we must take steps to make collective security more than words and protect our civilians against attack. I cannot believe that the great nations are blind to the dangers they ran in refusing to come to the Disarmament Conferences and make agreements which will threaten neither their own nor any other nation's security."

ORDERS FOR AIRCRAFT DOUBLbD. ENTRIES IN PERSONNEL ALSO. (Received This Day, 10.5 a.m.) LONDON, March 13. In an address to the Parliamentary Air Committee of the House of Commons, the Secretary of State for Air (the Marquess of Londonderry) revealed that nearly twice as many aircraft have been ordered for 19.% as in 1934, and the entry of officers and airmen more than doubled. The new civil link would be established to Hongkong, branching at Bangkok from the Australian route. , NEW AIRCRAFT CARRIER. A 10,OOQ-TON VESSEL. (Received This Day, 10.5 a.m.) LONDON, March 13. The Admiralty! has placed an order for a new aircraft carrier, Ark Royal, of 10,000 tons. The order placed with Cammell Lairdf (Birkenhead), will provide work for 2000 men tor two years. The cost will be from £2,000.000 to £2,500,000.