VALUE OF AIR FORCE

Evening Star, Issue 17926, 23 March 1922, Page 6

VALUE OF AIR FORCE

ISiSTER'S ESTIMATES. BRITAIN - MUST - LEAD. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON', March; 21. In ..presenting tho Air Estimates, Cap* tain Guest (Air Minister) welcomed the Government’s decision to retain a separate autonomous Air Ministry. After tho Gedcles cute tho Air Force would consist of thirty-one squadrons, of which nineteen and a-half would be abroad. Illustrating tho value of tho force, ho related that only last week two aeroplanes stationed at Aden flew over the Bed Sea, and within two days subdued tho rebellions tribes, which had stbloh 4,003 cattle. Tho Air Force was proving cheap and effective. It was becoming tho handy man of the lighting service. France had over sixty air squadrons, and proposed even a larger programme. The Government could not accept tho Geddas proposal for tho abolition of eight and a-half homo squadrons, which were required for co-opera-tion with the'Army and Navy. Tho Estimates had been reduced by £6,500,000, In consequence of most of the Dominions refusing to support the airship service, he had reluctantly begun negotiations to sell the airships. Ho strongly favored the maintenance of cross-Channel _ services, which were regarded as a training operation for linking up tho Empire. The Ministry intended steadily to develop further links in the Imperial chain. Major-general Seely thought that tho air economies had gone far enough. Field-marshal Sir Homy Wilson challenged the wisdom of an independent air forco, which was not supported by any soldier or sailor of eminence who had participated in tho late war. He pleaded for more generous support of.civil aviation. Lieutenant-colonel Guinness moved an amendment providing that all defence forces shall be represented and co-ordin-ated on the Imperial Defence Committee. Mr Churchill said if the war had lasted a few months longer wc would have scon vast operations conducted from tho East Coast upon Berlin and upon the heart of Germany, which would have increased in magnitude. It mpst be remembered that Britain had lost her insular position, on which her greatness stood. We must bo sure that wo had (ho leadership of the air. The only way of securing co-ordina-tion of tho Army, Navy, and Air Force was through the Ministry of Defence, but it could not possibly bo achieved at present.

Lieutenant-colonel Guinness withdrew his amendment.—A, and N.Z. Cable.