ARMAMENTS

Grey River Argus, 11 May 1935, Page 5

ARMAMENTS

BRITISH AIR FORCE Speeding up Construction (Aus. and N.Z Cable Assn.) LONDON. May 9. The Air Ministry has circularised aircraft and aero engine contractors in connection with Air Force expansion, asking them to accelerate the completion of existing contracts in order to ensure preparedness for tendering for any new requirements. It has also asked the manufacturers to inform the Ministry what foreign civil orders they propose to undertake before comm'tling themselves thereto. A leading manufacturer declares that tire Ministry's letter asks what is the maximum output, suggesting that sufficient orders are available to keep the works at full pressure, produring military aircraft, for at least two years. BRITISH AIR RAID DRILL. (Received May 10, 7 p.m.) LONDON, May 10. When the air defences of Britain {are debated on May 22 in the House of Commons, the Government will announce drastic plans for the protection of civilians in air raids. They include compulsory drill for both adults and children in the wearing of gas masks; a compulsory “blackout” of nil the lights of the (owns am] cities, as has been done in Germany. NEW BRITISH FIGHTING PLANE. (Received Mav 10 8 p.m.) (“Times” Cable.) LONDON. May 10. “The Times’s” aeronautical writer says: Fairev s firm have completed a fighting biplane which probably is the most heavily armed one in the world. It is able to discharge three-quarter pound shells from a quickfirrng gun through its propeller boss. It is equipped with an 850 horsepower water-cooled engine. It is expected to attain a speed of 250 miles an hour. It has four machine-guns. DOMINIONS’ ATTITUDE.

LONDON, Mnv 9.

| A conference of Anglo-Dominion Ministers provisionally discussed arrangements for the next Imperial I Conference which is now certain to ibo held in London. The date is not i fixed owing to Parliamentary sessions i and election arrangoTnents in several Dominions, but it is expected to be hold either at the end of 1936 or the I beginning of 1937. 1 Only passing reference was made to Germany’s demand for a return of the colonies. New Zealand did not raise tho question of Samoa. The Dominion Ministers approved of Britain’s recently announced increase in armaments. MILITARY TOURNAMENT. RUGBY, May 9. The Royal Military Touinament, one of the most popular items in the London season, opened at Olympia today, when the Prince of Wales represented the K ; ng As usual, all 'he three services had combined to present a. programme combined of skill, pageantrv and light-hearted entertainment the proceeds of which will go to Service charities. DARDENFLLES FORTIFICATIONS. RUGBY. May 9. S'r J. Simon, replying to a Commons quest on in regard to the fortification of the Turkish Straits, stated that ho had no information which nvould justifv the assumption 'hat Turkov contemplates any violation, of her obligations under the Straits Con ven'ion of Lausanne such as would be involved by her fortification of the Strait’s at the present time. AMERICAN NAVY. WASHINGTON, May 9. The Senate Appropriations Committee reported the Naw Apnropr’ation Bdl to the Senate, after restoring ,23 380.000 dollars for th° begmuing of ! A he construction of twentv-four new ships, which thn of Representatives reduced bv finlf The Bill carries a total of 450 «nr, 94G doPars. the largest fov the Vnvv for years. A total of 530 GOD dollars was adoed for operation and maintenance of aircraft and contract authorisation new plnnoq was increased from 5.000,000 tn QIQO 000 clnVars.