EMPIRE DEFENCE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 110, 19 February 1937, Page 5

EMPIRE DEFENCE

POSITION OF THE DOMINIONS,

NO CALL FOR COMMON FUfID.

SELF-PROTECTION THEIR DUTY.

(United Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, February 17.

During the debate on defence fn the House of Commons, Dr. H. Dalton (Labour) asked -whether the Dominions were going to contribute to the common cost of defence; also whether additional contributions were in sight from, the colonies defended by Britain.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr Neville Chamberlain), intervening said: “Britain has not a single particular power as an enemy, nor are we in alliance with other powers on whose aid: we can count. We must consider a whole series of hypothetical emergencies in which we may be opposed by this or that power. We will draw up a defence programme to make us feel as safe as possible against this hypothetical set of emergencies. “According to Sir Archibald Sinclair (leader of the Liberal party), all the troubles of the world were caused by Imperial preference,” said Mr Chamberlain. “If he had his way he would probably soon lose us the Empire. It is true that we are dependent largely on the Dominions for supplies of essential materials. In that sense, therefore, the, dispersal of the Dominions throughout the world does lay a special duty on the Navy. But there is no intention to call on the Dominions to contribute to the common fund.

“The Dominions have spent a great deal on perfecting and improving their own defences. That is thei" contribution to the common fund. No other form of contribution is being discussed at present.”

SOUTH AFRICA’S FORCES.

THE NEED FOR STRENGTHENING.

PROVISION ON THE ESTIMATES

(Received This Day, 11.15 a.m.)

CAPE TOWN, February IS,

The general opinion in defence circles is that while the British defence programme is mammoth, Britain must have good cause for embarking on it. Simultaneously with the publication of the White Paper, Mr Pirow (South African Minister of Defence) was urging on Parliament the need for speedily strengthening South Africa’s defences, for which £1,500,000 is provided in the Estimates.

CRUISERS WITH 8-INCH GUNS.

BRITAIN NOT OUTCLASSED. LONDON, February 17. The First Lord of the Admiralty (Sir Samuel Hoare), in a reply in the House of Commons, said the numbers of cruisers armed with eight-inch guns completed or building by the Powers were: British Commonwealth ... 15 America Japan France Italy ] Germany ....../ ®

Sir Samuel added that lie was glad of the opportunity for saying that there was no warrant for the assertion recently made in the press that I3iitish ships in this category were outclassed.