EMPIRE SAFETY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 49, 27 February 1935, Page 7

EMPIRE SAFETY.

DEFENCE PLANS. CONCERTED ACTION. Debate Before Arrival of Dominion Premiers. BIG RISE IN COST EXPECTED. (United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, February 26. A special Cabinet meeting decided, in view of the visit of the Dominion Prime Ministers, to hold a general debate on Imperial defence in the House of Commons as the outcome of Sir Maurice Hankey's tour, and in connection with the defence estimates, which will be issued next week. It is recognised that the Navy, Army and Air Force estimates will inevitably be substantially higher than last year. Cabinet is anxious that the House of Commons discuss the estimates in their entirety, besides votes for the separate Services.

The "Star" political correspondent says the defence estimates are expected to be increased by £10,000,000, enabling more aeroplanes, tanks, armoured cars and warships to be built. The "Daily Herald" says the Government and Imperial General Staff are preparing plans for reconditioning and strengthening all outlying naval and military bases. The decision follows the consultations between Sir Maurice Hankey, secretary to the Committee of Imperial Defence, and the representatives of the Dominions which he recently visited. Inspection by Army Chiefs. General Sir Archibald MontgomeryMassingberd, Chief of the Imperial General Staff, will leave England on February 28, states a British official wireless message, and carry out a tour of inspection in Egypt, Palestine and the Sudan. He will travel from Marseilles in the liner Strathnaver. He will arrive in Cairo on March 6, and travel by air to Khartoum on March 9. He will return to Cairo on March 13. Before leaving Egypt for Palestine on March 20 he will visit Ismailia. Sir Archibald will also visit Transjordania, and will leave for England at the end of March. His tour of the Empire air bases, garrisons and fortresses follows Sir Maurice Hankey's Dominions visit. Major-General F. W. Barron will carry out a similar mission to Singapore, Hongkong, Colombo and Aden. His and Sir Archibald Montgomery-Massing-berd's reports will be collated and submitted to the Committee of Imperial Defence in readiness for the discussions of the Empire Prime Ministers.