IF WAR COMES

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 March 1939, Page 7

IF WAR COMES

BRITAIN’S OBLIGATIONS MR. HORE BELISHA’S SPEECH [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.] (Recd. March 9, 1 p.m.) RUGBY, March 8. Mr. Hore Belisha began his speech, when introducing the Army Estimates in the commons, by reference to the question which he said, he thought was uppermost in the mind of the House, namely, to what extent Britain should be prepared, in the event of war to intervene with land forces on the Continent of Europe. The question was searching, and could only be adequately discussed within the context of the country’s strategic problems. Mr. Hore Belisha recalled the declaration made by Mr. Chamberlain on December 14. which he reinforced on February 11, and which left, in no doubt the position which, in certain eventualities, Britain would assume. On the latter occasion, Mr. Chamberlain had said that he felt bound to make it plain that the solidarity of interest by which France and this country were united is such that any threat to the vital interest of France, from whatever quarter it came, must evoke the immediate co-operation of this country. That declaration was of greater significance than any which preceded it, and made it incumbent to consider and to prepare for the use of a field force, in certain eventualities.

The conversations between ourselves and the French had not committed us in this respect, but prudent minds should be ready for any eventuality. “If we are involved in war,” he said, “our contribution, and the ways in which we can best make it, will not be half-hearted, nor upon any theory of limited liability. We have on our side made plans—plans of great detail. We have made a calculation of the shipping requirements, and the principle which we lay down is this: In order that it may be possible for us to deliver our maximum effort in a Continental war, should the need arise, the productive arrangements we should make in peace, together with the accumulated reserves and new capacity which could be created and brought into operation, must be sufficient to equal and maintain each echelon of the force as it is deployed. Bv the time the last of the serial dates is reached, new forces should be trained, and the necessary additional provision for their equipment and maintenance should be made.”

Mr. Hore Belisha said that the historical qualification of British military effort abroad still remained—every soldier who fought had to be transported, and every weapon he used, every shell he fired, and every vehicle he drove, had to be carried oversea. The whole of the army could not, therefore', arrive simultaneously in a. theatre of war, where Continental armies might already be in position. It would have to be dispatched in echelons, on serial dates. In a survey of the military purposes for which the British forces weie maintained ,and the manner in which they were being discharged, Mi.. Hoie Belisha recalled that the foundation ot British strategy had been, to maintain land forces which, in conjunction with sea power, would sufficiently safeguard British territories. He proceeded to review, in detail, both the Home defence and overseas garrisons, and stressed that neither the maintenance o.E strategic reserves in India and the Middle East, nor the strengthening of overseas . garrisons, would result in a diminution of the size of the strategic reserve in the United Kingdom. . Mr. Hore Belisha said that all the Regular Army divisions, except those armoured, will be equipped for action, within the coming financial year, ine production of light tanks is well ahead of schedule. Cruiser tanks only aie now being delivered. The Bren gun is being produced in overwhelming 11U A Proportion of the Regular reserves for the first time, will be summoned to the colours this year, in order that they may be kept up-to-date. The Army effectives of all ranks, ex elusive of the troops in India and Burma, number 531,353. Mr. Duff Cooper said: ‘ Mr. Hore Bclisha’s statement regarding an expedioX force, and our 'vnlingnese o send it to the Continent, is . good enough for me. The statement is probably the most satisfactory concerning ?he Army, ever made in the House.”

CIVILIAN DEFENCE. ANTI-GAS PROTECTION. [BY CABLE—PRESS ASSN.—COPYRIGHT-? LONDON, March 8. The Lord Privy Seal (Sir John Anplete protection against bombs cou ot be expected from the steel sheltei, but they nevertheless were exthe difficulty of the G task in »«ord...g at equate protection, and uiged 1 Uo to do jußtios to those who we e carrving a heavy responsibility, lhe Government would nnnonnee a deck sion immediately it knew it was the ‘ iS ?ir Ol Henry French. Government Food Director, speaking at Mai^ ies ' ter said the rationing and contiol ot food supplies would be in operation ■within 21 hours of the outbreak ot war. The foods to be rationed from the outset would be meat, bacon, ham, sugar, butter, margarine, and cooking fats. Other foods would not be rationed, but would be controlled. Possibilities arising from the destruction of warehouses, railways, and roads were being considered. Sir Henry French said his department already controlled stores of wheat, sugar, and whale oil. dispersed at various centres. The Minister for Health (Mr. Walter Elliot) informed the House ot Commons that emergency rations capable of sustaining life for 48 hours would be supplied to those evacuated into the reception areas in time of emergency.