AIR ESTIMATES.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIII, Issue 78, 16 March 1923, Page 5

AIR ESTIMATES.

A COMPARISON OF STRENGTH. CONCENTRATION ON QUALITY. London, March 14. Sir Samuel Hoare, in the House of Commons, in introducing the air estimates, said the past year was one of steady progress. There was a general Reeling of anxiety about our air strength. In comparing it with that of France, which had more fully developed her air power, no one must form the impression that he believed war was even remotely possible Between the two great Allies. In 1925 France would have 2180 service machines and this country only 575. This disparity was overwhelming. Was it justifiable ? If we applied the onePower standard for the air it would mean an immediate increase in the net estimates of £23,000,000. In 1918 the Air Force comprised 30,122 officers, 263,410 other ranks and 3300 aeroplanes. To-day we had 3071 officers, 27,499 other ranks and 371 first line aeroplanes. At present, in the absence of quantity, we must concentrate on quality. From the point of view of economy, humanity, and commonsense we ought to try and avoid a new lap in the old race for armaments. He proposed to offer prizes amounting to £50,000 in connection with experiments in helicopters' and make a small grant to encourage gliding. He was also preparing a scheme to enable reservists to train with certain selected firms, rfe hoped in a few years to create a reserve of 1000 officers and 12,000 men. Sir Samuel Hoare said the present estimates sought eighteen additional squadrons, including three for cooperation with the Navy. He denied that the Navy was starved. Our naval air work was stages ahead of any othen great Power. He reminded the House that civil aviation, though a useful supplement, would never be a substitute for military aviation. On, the question of subsidies to civil companies, the Air Ministry was prepared to negotiate with any person on the basis of subscriptions of £1,000,000. in private capital and a State subsidynot exceeding £1,000,000 spread over a decade. The whole question of airships would shortly be re-opened by the Imperial Defence Committee. The Air Ministry held the view that airships might become very valuable as carriers of troops and possibly of aircraft

Sir F. H. Sykes contended that a sound defensive air system was indissolubly linked with international affairs and social problems. He hoped the Air Ministry would join the scheme for a naval base at Singapore, where an air depot would greatly assist the air route to Australasia. It would not be possible this year for the dominion Premiers to come by air to the Imperial Conference, but it was a matter of great urgency that this country should get the home defence policy in order and have a sound and workable scheme.

The vote was agreed to.—(A. and N.Z.)