RECRUITING

Grey River Argus, 25 May 1935, Page 5

RECRUITING

22,500 MEN For British Air Force (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, May 23. The Royal Air Force, acting on vhe Government’s declaration ■regarding the new air defence policy, took the first steps to-day towards increasing their personnel. They issued full details of pay and service conditions offered in respect of the additional men required, namely, 2500 to be trained as pilots, and 20,000 artisans and unskilled mon. This is in accord ance iwith the Government’s intention to have a home defence force of 1500 first line machines by 1937. With regard to the recruiting measures, the Air Minister, Lord Londonderry stated: “The announcement of he Government has clearly been welcome to the nation. It does not reflect the policy of competition with other countries, nor a race in armaments. We welcome Hitler’s offer of limitation, but a' lhe same time, we are carrying out our declared policy not to accept inferiority to our neigh hours in the air. The task of expansion is a tremendous undertaking, and we need the full support and goodwill of the country.” Until he new service aerodromes are established, civil aerodromes will be used for the training of pilots and mechanics.

DOMINION MINISTERS. INFORMATION GIVEN THEM. LONDON, May 23. A communique announces that a further meeting of the British Commonwealth Prime Ministers was held in Mr MacDonald’s room in the Commons, ami resumed the discussion on the international situation, particularly regarding defence. Messrs Forbes nd Coates and Sir James Parr repre-s-nted Nei.v Zealand. It is understood hat no special references or appeals were made to the Dominions relating to their respective defence efforts. The s'tuntion arising from Ili'ler’s speech and the new British air. policy were explained at the round-table discussion. DOMINION ARMAMENT ISSUES. LONDON, May 24. The “Daily Mail's” political correspondent understands that a suggestion wa.s made at the British-Dominion Miirsters’ meeting for a standing body of Dominion representatives in r.omlon to consider foreign ami defen ce develop m e n 1 ’s. A SHREWD ESTIMATE. OF GERMAN SITUATION. MOSCOW, May 23. “Whatever Hitler nmy sav about his desire for peace, h ’ aspires to revenge.” sny< “Prav-hi.” in a bitter < r'ticisni of Hi^lev’s speech. It. adds ‘hat Gi'rman Imperialism is longing for revenge but German Fascism is not rendv for it. but is work’n<r feverishb- 1 O cnniph to the mili tary programme. FRENCH APPROVAL. OF BRITT AIT ATR POLICY. (“Times” Cable.) (Received May 24 at <B.lO p.m.) LONDON, May 23. The “Times” Paris correspondent says: The air debate in the British House of Commons is generally approved in France, in view of the admitted necessity of British air parity with Germany, also of the implication in this connection of France, and also in view of the lack of an aggressive intention. Air Pact THE TALK REVIVED. BY HITLER’S SPEECH. (Received Mav 24 at 8.40 p.m.) LONDON, May 24. Herr Hitler’s recent speech is regarded in Government circles as having improved the prospects of an air pact. Means of reaching an agreement are being studied. The “Daiiy Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent says: “The Government is likely to consider the calling of a conference of the Powers to discuss Hrer Hitler’s thirteen points. It is felt that this offers the best means of ascertaining how far the way may be open for new agreements. Tn the meantime, there are many points in the speech on which fuller information is desired. ”