British Defence Budget

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28822, 17 February 1959, Page 3

British Defence Budget

Sir, —P. J. Alley advocates a policy of cheese-paring and fiddling with finance. Surely he would not approve a bridge that did not provide the safe crossing of a river. The Russians make no secret of their aim to dominate and enslave the world. The free world would welcome bilateral disarmament. The Russians, however, refuse to be diverted from their war of intimidation. Morale-wrecking propaganda in this country should be curbed. The provision of adequate defence is the only real safeguard of peace at present— Yours, etc., T. E. SHAW. WaslpqrL February 4«. 1958.

British Defence Budget Sir, —I think you insufficiently appreciate the penetrating analyses of world happenings provided by P. J. Alley. His commentaries reveal the gross error of orthodox interpretations, like ignorantly supposing the bulk of Britain’s defence budget to be required for administration, maintaining armed personnel and existing equipment etc. We should take very seriously the revelations of socialist virtue. As elucidated by Mr Alley, the absence of profit incentive constrains socialists to do only with reluctance what necessity urges. And so a great spirit of enthusiasm animates all the activity deemed to be virtuous —no; this doesn’t seem necessarily to follow. However, I'm sure he will explain it all.—Yours, etc., R.S. February 16, 1959,