DEFENDING EMPIRE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 65, 17 March 1934, Page 9

DEFENDING EMPIRE.

Britain May Consult Dominions Later This Year. NEW HOME DEFENCE FORCE. LONDON, March 10. It is understood that the House of Commons on March 21 wili discuss the. question of Empire defence, and that the Government will be pressed to take immediate steps to consult the Dominions, for which purpose it is likely to call a conference for this year. Many members of the House are anxious about tho situation, especially the shortage in the Air Force.

Speaking on the Army estimates, Mr. A. Dnlf Cooper, Financial Secretary to tho War Office, announced that it had been decided to form a new branch of tlio territorial army, to bo called the Royal Dcfencc Corps. This would be recruited from men no longer fit for active service, to be used in emergency for the defence of vulnerable points in Britain, such as bridges, factories and arsenals. ,

Mr Duff Cooper said the new force would not be used against enemy attack but against persons of ill-will and foreign agents inside tlie country. The scheme would free younger and more active men for other duties. Labour members said they feared the corps might be used as a Fascist force, on the model of the Austrian Ileimwclir. Win"-Commaudcr A. W. James (Con., Northampton) moved that Army training should be in co-operation with tlie Navy and the Air lorce. Lieutenant-Colonel J. T. Moore Brabazon (Con., Wallasey) advocated a single service for all three forms of defence— , sea, land and air.