The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, The Echo and The Sun. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1933. BRITAIN'S AIR DEFENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 284, 1 December 1933, Page 6

The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, The Echo and The Sun.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1933. BRITAIN'S AIR DEFENCE.

For the cause that lacks assistance. For the wrong that needs resistance For the future in the distance, And the good that Vit can do

Warnings have been issued for some time past that Britain was imperilling her safety by the reductions made in her air forces. When after the Armistice the greater part of her vast air fleets was dispersed it was hoped that this would be the prelude to a general reduction of all armaments as contemplated in the Treaty of Versailles. Such reductions, however, were not made by the other Powers, and Britain to-day stands fifth among the world's air Powers in terms of first line strength. The British Government has therefore had to abandon the policy of unilateral disarmament, and make it plain that in the interests of national safety a onePower standard in the air must be aimed at. Great Britain's position from the defence point of view is peculiar. London, which is not only the seat of Government, but is also a vast industrial area, is peculiarly open to attack from the air. The only real defence against air attack seems to lie in the possession of means ijor delivering a major air offensive against ,'the enemy's munition centres, depots and communications. Measures to deal with such defence cannot be left to the last moment, and omission to take such measures might be no preventive of war, and might, under certain circumstances, prove a provocation.

Efforts have been made at Geneva to abolish bombing from the air altogether. Italy, Japan and Russia favoured the abolition of bombing aircraft. Britain stated a willingness to consent to the complete abolition of military and naval aviation, provided there was some effective national control of civil aviation which would prevent civil aircraft being used for military purposes. France favoured an international force under League control, but was not willing to abolish aircraft altogether. No agreement was reached as to the total abolition of bombing aircraft, and Britain now has to see to it that she is not exposed to danger from the air from lack of aircraft capable of taking the offensive if necessary. Her very existence is at stake.