IF WAR COMES

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 November 1936, Page 7

IF WAR COMES

BRITAIN’S PRECAUTIONS “A TREMENDOUS TASK” . [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.] RUGBY, November 12. During the debate on defence in the House of Commons, Mr. Baldwin said tho completion, of the programme for meeting the cumulative deficiencies of many years was a tremendous task. The defence programmes were making good progress. The question of the food supply of the country in time of war was in process of Solution. A scheme of rationing had been drawn up, which could be used if emergency arose, and the Minister for Agriculture had produced a scheme for increased production in>case of war. The production of aeroplane engines under the 1936 programme was entirely satisfactory. The Government was determined 'to press forward the plan already worked out, and to modify and expand it if necessary in the light of developments, but it did. not feel justified in bringing abou,t tlie dislocation of trade, which must follow any attempt to proceed on the more lavish scale advocated in some quarters. Plans for coast defence and ahti : aircrkft'?'defence of the ports’of entry been*drawn up. They were iinderi -- review because of the constantly: increasing range of? aircraft-; The Government’s attitude towards the question; of: a ministry for Supply, about- which there were differences of . opinion between the Government and Mr. Churchill, was the considered judgment of the Cabinet in the light of nil the facts'.

NATION’S AWAKENING. /- [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS] . RUGBY, November 13. The debate' oil the ' Address was ended by the defeat of the Opposition and Liberal amendment, which had been used as a text fro criticism of the Government’s defence programme, by 37 votes to 131. In the later part of the speech the Primo Minister recalled that in 1933 he and his friends were worried about what was.happening-in.Europe; yet at tthat. time there was : iri' Britain a stronger pacifist feeling than at any •time since the war. By the events of the two succeeding years, however, Britain had itself learnt of the possible perils of the situation, and the , Government had received a mandate for undertaking the defence measures whicl( it knew to be essential. “I will always trust the ipstinct of democratic people,” said the Prime Minister.. “They may coihe late, : but they come ultimately.” He" assured'., tlie House that the Government was reasonably satisfied with the defence ' progress, and 1 promised that, if necessary, . they.-would* not hesitate W?ask V for fuller powers. He also invited both the Leader ;Of the Opposition (Mr Atlee) and : Mn*. Winston Churchill to confidential meetings, at which could be glveir and received, special information that could not be made public. KING AND NAVY. , 7 . ~1 k ' ', .. • (Reed. November..l4, .8 a.m.), 4 .. LONDON,xNovember. i3< Tr The King, lafet’ night', spent a happy hour at a lower deck concert. Two thousand ratings on the Courageous ■ joined heartily in the chorus of ‘'Tipperary” accompanied by ; a ; mouth-or-gan band. . ■; •> : To-day there was bright sunshirie,. but a keen wind. His Majesty lioard-* '■ ed the Admiral’s barge and inspected a number of submarines, mine-layers, and fishery protection cruisers. The King signalled “Splice the main brace” before leaving Portland for London. All' ships dressed flags from end to.. end in obedience to a signal from the Royal yacht. This was the King’s first signal to his fleet.

CONGRATULATIONS MADE. RUGBY, November 13. The King sent a message to the Homo Fleet, stating: .1 wish to express to all ratings, officers and commanding officers, my satisfaction with all I have, seen.' The appearance of the ships and men was admirable, and I congratulate you all, The King immediately afterwards left the Royal yacht-in an Admiral’s barge. All the ships were manned, and as the barge moved slowly through the. lines, they fired a royal salute of 21 guns.- , WORLD FORCES '(Reed. November 14, 11 a.m.) LONDON, November 13. The League of Nations armaments year book estimates that the permanent forces of thp/ world in 1935/6 totalled 8,200,000;- of which 545,000 were .serving in navies, a total increase of 1,700,000 sine©'l93l/27 Europe now has 4,800,000 under arms, compared with 3,600,000 in 1931/2, thus Europe’s permanent forces are almost the same as in 1912/13.-