NOT WEAK

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 40, 26 November 1938, Page 5

NOT WEAK

THE DEFENCE OF BRITAIN.

NEW CHAPTER OF GREATNESS

STATEMENT BY A MINISTER

(United Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, November 24.

It was untrue, declared the Home Secretary (Sir Samuel Hoare), when addressing the Cambridge University Conservative Association, that the Prime Minister (Mr Neville Chamberlain) had capitulated to Herr Hitler because Great Britain’s defences were too weak. The rearmament of the country had reached a stage at which it would haveboon unshakeable in the early days of a war and irresistible as it progressed. He admitted setbacks in the course of European achievement, and warned his hearers to expect disappointment. The Munich agreement, he declared, saved the world from the greatest calamity in history. Mr Chamberlain’s action was the most far-seeing then possible. “We should act similarly if again facing the same situation,” he said. “The Empire, far from drifting into a decline, is beginning a new chapter of greatness.”

A standard plan for air raid precaution trenches is being issued by the Government to local authorities, who, if they adopt it, would receive a grant toward the expenditure involved. He urged them to proceed with the work immediately, using unemployed labour.

WELL-DIRECTED PLANNING.

CONFIDENCE IN STRENGTH

(Received This Day, 10.45 a.m.) LONDON, November 25

The names of the panel of business men to act as advisers to the Government in its rearmament programme will he made known within two or three days, according to an announcement at Manchester by the Minister foe the Coordination of Defence (Sir Thomas Inskip).

After expressing satisfaction with the progress in industrial mobilisation, Sir Thomas Inskip said that Britain was strong and must be strong. They desired no man’s territory and if they stood together in the confidence which the strength of Britain’s defences justified they would find a happier morning breaking upon them.

The Minister insisted that- there had already been well-directed planning in the whole field of industry, and lie believed there was no article likely to be required in time of war for which provision had not been made during peace. He announced that a statement would be made in the House of Commons to-day by ,Sir John Anderson (Minister for Home Defence) on some ■matters which affected local authorities regarding air-raid -precautions, and also on the question of the proper organisation of available man power. He thought they would be agreeably surmade by the fact that more preparations and consultations had taken place than had been supposed. He hoped tho Government’s defence programme would be completed as originally planned before Qie expected date.—British Official ’Wireless.