BRITISH WEAKNESS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 149, 26 June 1934, Page 7

BRITISH WEAKNESS.

Talk of Substantial Increase In Defence Services. SURVEY OF WORLD AFFAIRS. LONDON, June 25. The "Daily Telegraph" states that the Government is considering substantial increases in the three defence services. There is difficulty in deciding how the money available can best be allocated, but the necessity follows the failure to reach an international agreement for a limitation of armaments.

Faced by this prospect, the Ministers, who made an exhaustive survey" of world affairs, came to the conclusion that the weakness of Britain constitutes a temptation to a breach of the peace.

The Admiralty submitted arguments for substantial increases in cruiser and destroyer strength, also an expansion of the fleet air arm. It will bo for the Minister to make a decision.

Financial considerations render it impracticable for Britain to maintain parity of strength with all the Powers in all arms of the service, but the conception of a British defensive role defines the Air Force as the most valuable defensive force.

The Army is required primarily for defence at liomo and to provide drafts for overseas garrisons, but an alternative scheme envisages an expenditure on the Army almost equal to the present cost of the Navy, which ie £56,000,000, compared with £39,000,000 on the Army.