LABOUR MOVE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 173, 24 July 1934, Page 7

LABOUR MOVE.

CENSURE MOTION. DEBATE BY LORDS. Increase of Arms Condemned As Menace to Peace. RESOLUTION NEGATIVED. (United P.A.-Electric Telegraph-Copyright) (Received 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, July 23. Lord Ponsonby, in the House of Lords, moved the Labour motion of censure, condemning the increase in armaments before the termination of the Disarmament Conference, on the ground that it did not give the country security and was bound to lead to armament competition, which would endanger world peace. The motion was rejected by 54 votes to 9. Lord Ponsonby cited Mr. Baldwin's recent admission that no power on earth could prevent Britain being *bombed, as a bomber would always get through. The announcement of a sensational increase in the Air Force, which would in no way give security, was "wanton mutilation of the League authority at a critical moment." As the announcement immediately followed M. Barthou's visit, it made one wonder if a hidden obligation had been undertaken of which the country was ignorant. The Secretary for Air, the Marquess of Londonderry, replying, said the Government had by no means abandoned hope of ultimately reaching a disarmament convention but, having regard to Britain's present weakness in the air and the widespread concern this had aroused, it had been concluded that in the light of developments abroad there could be delay no longer. In the matter of defence services generally, and the Royal, Air Force in particular, the Government had preached and practised a degree of restraint which had placed Britain to-day in what amounted to a position of unilateral disarmament. The strongest air Power <at the end of the last war, Britain had now ranked fifth for some years in terms of firstline strength. No responsible Government could allow the Air Force to remain in a position of such inferiority. The Government's proposals to increase the Royal Air .Force by 41 squadrons in the next five years will be debated in both Houses before Parliament adjourns for the summer recess at the end of the month. In the House of Commons a vote, of censure will be moved by the Labour Leader, Mr. George Lansbury.