BRITISH DECISION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 121, 24 May 1935, Page 7

BRITISH DECISION.

NO NEED FOR PANIC.

Labour Motion of Rejection of Air Policy Defeated.

DISCUSSION IN COMMONS.

(British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, May 23. Continuing his spcech in the House of Commons on national defence, Mr. Baldwin said: "With regard to the figure of Germany's aeroplanes which I gave in a speech last November, nothing has come to my knowledge since that makes me think that figure was wrong. "Where I was wrong was in my estimate of the future. There I was completely wrong. "The reason why I was wrong was because neither I nor my advisers had any idea of the exact rate at which production was being, could be, and actually was speeded-up in Germany in the six months between November and now. We were completely misled on this subject. "There was a great deal of heaisay to go on, but we could get no facts. The only facts I have now J would take direct from Herr Hitler himself until I have reason to doubt his word, which I have not at present. I put these figures before the House. "In my view there is no occasion for panic over what we are doing. However, I do say this deliberately, with all the knowledge I have of the situation, that I would not remain for one moment in any Government which took less determined steps than we are taking to-day. Great Danger of Fear. "Tine greatest danger in the world is the fear from which all nations are suffering. So long as that fear and that frame of mind exist the nations cannot really settle down to those things that matter. "There is one other matter to which the Government attaches the greatest importance. It has seemed that the promotion of an air pact might be combined witli\ an effort to safeguard the civilian populations against the danger of indiscriminate attacks from the air, and there were passages in Ilerr Hitler's speech which seemed to indicate that he shared that view. "I look for light wherever 1 can find it. I believe there is some light in that speech which was made 011 Tuesday night. We must all get hold of more light. We must make fresh resolves. "I believe the opportunity may be opening even now at the eleventh hour, knowing that night is ever darkest before the dawn, and that we may vet within a time measurable in our lives, sec vanish from the world the most fearful terror and man's knowledge that ever has been known in the world." Following Mr. Baldwin, Major C. R. Attlee (Lab., Limehouse) moved a reduction of the defence vote. Germany's Big Bombers. Mr. Winston Churchill said that although he welcomed parts of Herr Hitler's speech, it had in 110 way created a new hopeful situation. Herr Hitler's attitude pooled security, the Danubian problem and the demilitarised zone. The newly-created German Air Force contained the largest proportion of long-distance bombers in the world. There was little chance of a universal agreement for the abolition of submarines if Germany had 35 per cent of the British Navy "in brand-new ships. It would far exceed 35 per cent of the British Navy in value. The new German construction must be met by superior construction in Britain, said Mr. Churchill. For the first time in centuries Britain was not fully equipped to repel or retaliate against foreign invasion. Sir Stafford Cripps (Lab., East Bristol) asked if the Government did not count on the help of the French and other air forces in the event of an air attack by Germany. Mr. Baldwin replied that that was the form of security the Government hoped to negotiate in the proposed air pact. Sir Stafford said that if Herr Hitler meant what he said it was an opportunity for an agreement which it would be criminal to miss. The Under-Secretary of State for Air, Sir Philip Sassoon, in winding up the debate, said that until they obtained the limitation of arms for which they had worked a strong British Air Force was the best guarantee of peace in Europe. Major Attlee's motion was rejected by 340 votes to 52. THIRST FOR REVENGE. SOVIET VIEW OF GERMANY. (Received 2 p.m.) MOSCOW, May 23. "Whatever-Herr Hitler may say about his desire for peace, he aspires to revenue," says "Pravda," the official Soviet organ, in a bitter criticism of Herr Hitler's speech. It adds: "German Imperialism is longing for revenge, but German Fascism is not ready for it, but is working feverishly to complete a military programme." EMPIRE STATESMEN. INTERNATIONAL SITUATION. (Received 2.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 23. A communique announces that a fur--1 ther meeting of the British and Dominion Prime Ministers, held in Mr. Mac Donald's room in the House of Commons, resumed discussion of the international situation, particularly regarding defence. Mr. G. W. Forbes, Mr. J. G. Coates and Sir James Parr represented New Zealand. It is understood that no special references or appeals were made to the Dominions relating to their respective defence efforts. ... ~ The situation arising from Herr Hitler's speech and the new British air policy were explained at a round-table discussion.