DEFENCE EXPENDITURE

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 February 1937, Page 7

DEFENCE EXPENDITURE

FIRST LORD AND OVERSEAS MR. BALDWIN’S EXPLANATION [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS] RUGBY, February 22. An opportunity for further discussion in the Commons on the Government’s proposals to raise defence loans will occur this evening, when the report .stage of the money resolution is to be taken but the main debate will probably take place on Thursday when the second reading of the Bill itself will be debated. The principal Government speakers on the latter occasion will be Mr. Neville Chamberlain and Sir J. Simon. It is expected that Mr. Lloyd George will speak during the course of the debate. The Prime Minister was questioned in the Commons on Sir S. Hoare’s speech at Bradford on February 5, regarding Dominion co-operation in Imperial defence. Mr. Baldwin said: “The First Lord of the Admiralty made no new statement of policy. While explaining that the chief burdens of defence expenditure falls on the First Lord once again declared it would be a great mistake to impose some rigid plan on other members of the Empire. Similarly as to economic questions he made it clear any agreement that had been or might be reached, must result from the common outlook, and spontaneous desire for co-operation.

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE (Recd. Feb. 23, 1 p.m.). LONDON, February 22. Tne Australian Associated Press understands that the agenda of the defence discussions, which will overshadow all else at the Imperial Conference, is now settled under two main heads. First, the political and strategical aspects; secondly, the examination of the position with a view to further co-operation. The main task will be devising a workable scheme of co-operation to be in readiness should challenge again confront the Empire. It would involve the Dominions undertaking a defence programme providing the maximum local defence by which each Dominion would defend itself at least until assistance were available from Britain. The effect of the scheme would be that each Dominion would undertake certain armaments in accordance with the agreed programme, accepting the responsibility of placing the orders and paying the bill. NEW LOCARNO RUGBY, February 22. Asked to communicate to the House of Commons, the contents of the Belgian reply to the British Note of November 4, regarding the negotiation of a new western agreement, Lord Cranborne replied: “This note forms part of the preliminary exchange of views between the five Locarno Powers. It has been decided that those preliminary exchanges of view should be regarded as confidential, and the House will realise this decision is in the general interest of the negotiations.” . RAW MATERIALS GENEVA, February 22. Germany has officially refused the invitation to attend the Raw Materials Conference on March 8.