THE AIR FORCES

Evening Post, Volume XCIX, Issue 138, 11 June 1920, Page 6

THE AIR FORCES

The formation of an Air League—corresponding, no doubt, to the well-known Navy League, which in its time has done much for the British' Navy and for naval policy—has given Major-General Seely, ex-Under-Secretary of the Air Ministry, an opportunity to make some disturbing remarks. He declares that Britain, which in 1918 was the best equipped in the air of all the nations, has " practically gone out of the business," and suggests that the national defences are suffering from "'sloppy control and lack of co-ordina-tion." Critics of the naval administration of the years immediately before the war insist on the bad effect of failure of the forces to act together, and even of branches of the sea service to act in harmony along lines of a true war policy; but the war, at all events while it was in progress, revolutionised the administration of the fighting services. But there seems to have been difficulty all along about the status of the air forces, though there was none about their activities during the tima for action. How much General Seely meant by his statement that Britain has " practically gone out of the business" is not apparent; what is apparent is that in the recent past British manufacturers, British aviators, and British machines have done more remarkable work than has been recorded of any others. If Britain is going out oE the business, who is taking it\over? Tile remark may have referred chiefly 'oi' solely to the military side of aviation. That is suggested by the fact that the speech was delivered to the new Air League, which is, no doubt, an organisation to promote Imperial defence. If that is what the speech meant, it may bo relied upon to arouee more than meve comment. Everybody knows how much t.he aviators did during the war. That and subsequent flying feats have helped everyone to realise how important an element aircraft are likely to be in warfare; and more than that, in hindering conflict by prodding measures of defence in places and at times when other arms may not be available. The nations will fight in the air in the next war aa in the\ last; and a military or naval policy which neglects a. good arm its enemies will use seems to be inviting trouble.'

"There is a good deal wrong with the War Regulations, but there is also agood deal right with them," said a speaker at tho inaugural meeting of the Rentpayers' Protection League last night. He instanced his own case. He had been paying a rental of £2 5s per week, and when his landlord had applied to the Court to have him" dispoa-. secsed the Magistrate had no other option—as' the rent was above £2 per week—but to insko an order in favour of the landlord. Then, said the speaker, he turned his attention to another clause of the Regulations, and applied to the Court to have the property valued through the Labour Department. This was done, and the value was reduced from £1450 to £850. Further application wis made to the Court, and not only was a decision given against the landlord, but an order was made that the rent should be reduced to £1 ss, though later it was rai.wd by a small amount to £1 7s 9d. The Petone Gas Manager informed the Borough Council last evening that coke, which was being delivered at Is 6d per bag, was being sold at a. loss.. A motion that the price be Is 9d, supported by Councillors Cox, Churchouse. Hay, and Anderson wa3 lost, and-an amendment, supported by the other councillors, that the price be 2a was carried. The pricfi of coke at the works \'R3 fisted at 50s per toe.