ARMING FOR PEACE

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 February 1937, Page 7

ARMING FOR PEACE

BRITAIN'S FIRM POLICY WAR MINISTER'S SPEECH [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.] RUGBY, February 16. In a speech, Mr Duff Cooper said that Britain was. arming in' order to promote the cause of peace in the world. The British Empire had not a greater interest than that of peace. Tn arming for peace, they were also arming for the interests of Britain. There was a general feeling that the emergency was so great, and. the danger so real, that whatever sacrifices might be necessary, those sacrifices must be borne. A statement relating to defence expenditure. issued as *a White Paper, states it is probable that the level of expenditure over the next two or three years will be very much heavier than in the current year. It is not at present possible to determine what will be the peak year of defence ex-’ pemliture; Taking the programme, as it stands to-day, however, it would be imprudent to contemplate a total expenditure on defence, during the next five years, of much less than £1,500 million. On this estimate, the statement says: Deeply as they deplore the necessity for this vast expenditure on armaments, and other defensive nteasures, His, Majesty’s. Government are convinced that it must be undertaken.

NEW SCHEME OUTLINED. (Recd. February 17, 2.30 p.m.) LONDON, February 16. The White Paper states that heavy naval expenditure must be incurred in the next few years, to bring it up to the strength necessary to perform its functions. A considerable number of the existing ships are already, or will shortly become, over age. Only three of the fifteen capital ships are post-war construction. The Navy’s average cost in 1931-34 was? under twelve millions, but in 1936 it will he nearly fifty millions, and in 1937 substantially higher. Preliminary steps have been taken to order three capital ships, each costing eight millions during the financial year. There will also be seven cruisers, and additional aircraft carriers. Heavy cost is also involved in modernising the existing vessels, including improved anti-air-craft defence, modernisation of dockyards and other naval establishments. There will also be a big increase in the Navy’js personnel. No effort will be spared to bring the Air Force up to the level deemed requisite for safety. The personnel has risen from 31,000 in 1934 to over 50,000 in 1936. A further large increase is contemplated’, also the acquisition of a large number of new aerodromes, and the provision of new training stations at Home and abroad. The defence of overseas bases also/-requires additions to meet the menace of air attack. Increased protection will be provided for important ports abroad, in the form of anti-aircraft batteries, and searchlights. . The modernisation of the coast defences at Home and abroad, also involve considerable expenditure.

While Army recruiting has shown a slight improvement, measures are being adopted to make .the service more attractive, involving a considerable increase in maintenance costs. Two new infantry battalions will be raised shortly, also new tank battalions. The Home defence programme includes more efficient anti-aircraft measures. New and more effective guns are being manufactured, also large numbers of searchlights and balloons for barrages. The object is to ensure an air defence orgnisation readily adaptable to meet whatever type of air attack the United Kingdom might be called on to face. Fire risk from incendiary bombs is a problem beyond the capacity of normal peace-time fire brigades. Arrangements have been planned to accumulate additional fire-fighting appliances. Steps are being taken to ensure that national and industries vital to defence are not paralysed by the shortage of essential raw materials.

COLONIES RETURN. LONDON, February 16. Following on Lord Cranborne’s statement Mr Sandys put down a moftion: “That this House notes with satisfaction the assurance that the Government are not considering the cession of any colonial or mandated territory,” which over one hundred Commoners of widely differing political 'views, have already signed. CANADA’S EXPENDITURE (Recd. February 17, 2 p.m.) OTTAWA, February 16. The Prime Minister, defending the 35,000,000 dollar defence policy against the Commonwealth Federation’s want of confidence motion, declared: “We are not preparing for war, or fulfilling any commitments io Britain.” The Minister of Defence (Mr. MacKenzie) declared that the plan was designed solely to make the country’s defences efficient. Government concern over Quebec was cleared with a declaration by Mr. Maxine Raymond, that the FrenchCanadian members would unitedly support Canada in defence, but would ■insist on a definite understanding on European commitments.