BRITAIN STRONG.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 280, 26 November 1938, Page 9

BRITAIN STRONG.

PEACE PRECAUTIONS. More Preparations Than Supposed. MINISTER'S STATEMENT. British Official Wireless. (Received 1.30 p.m.) RUGBY, November 25. The names of a panel of business men to act as advisers to the Government in its rearmament programme will be made within two or three days, according to an announcement made at Manchester by Sir Thomas InskiJ), Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence.

After expressing satisfaction with the progress of industrial mobilisation, Sir Thomas said that Britain was strong and must remain strong. They desired no man's territory, and if they stood together in confidence, in which the strength of British defences was justified, they would find a happier morning breaking upon them.

He insisted tliat there had already been well-directed planning in the whole field of industry, and he" believed that there was no article likely to be required in time of war, for which provision had not been made, during peace.

He announced that a statement would be made in the House of Commons on Friday, by Sir John Anderson, Minister of National Defence, on some matters which affected local authorities regarding air raid precautions, and also on the question of proper organisation of available man power.

He thought that they would be agreeably surprised when the announcement was made by the fact that more preparations and consultations had taken place than had been supposed. He hoped that the Government defence programme would be completed a« originally planned before the expected date.