Air Defence of London

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 4 May 1935, Page 5

Air Defence of London

Lady Houston Renews Her Offer of £200,000 JUBILEE COMMEMORATION , Unitoil Press Association —By Electric Telegraph Copyright). LONDON, May 3. “In order to commemorate the King’s jubilee, also in view of the dire necessity, I renew my offer of £200,000 for the air defence of London,’’ writes Lady Houston to Lord Londonderry. She recalled Mr Neville Chamberlain’s previous rejection of the offer as it was impossible to accept gifts in excess of the expenditure Parliament had approved.

“Britain would have welcomed a definite declaration that an adequate air programme would immediately be begun,” says the “Da’ly Mail” in a leading article with reference to the foreign affairs statement. “The fact that General Goering is aiming at pari tv with Franco, which has four times. Britain’s strength, indicates the magnitude of Britain’s task.’’ “No British Government, however passionately it is advocating peace, could fall behind its neighbours in the air force,” says the ‘‘News Chronicle.” Nevertheless the public would acquiesce only if the Government continues building up collective security in which the door is open to German v.”

The “Daily Mail’s” political correspondent says a British Cabinet subcommittee which has been instructed that Britain must build aeroplanes until they are equal to Germany’s has been formed to draw up a plan in conjunction with the Air Ministry. Littleadvance is possible for several months as the foundation for the production of aeroplanes, and the personnel must be laid. In the meantime the Cabinet has agreed to the necessity for developing facilities for training the personnel.