DEFENSE PLAN

Hokitika Guardian, 11 June 1936, Page 7

DEFENSE PLAN

SOUTH AFRICA’S ICCO PILOTS CAPETOWN, June 9. Further details of the Union Government’s five-years programme ior strengthening the defences of South Africa were given by Mr O. Pirow, Defence Minister, speaking in me Assembly to-day. He disclosed measures which, he said,'' should at the end of the live years give South Africa 1,000 pilots and an anti-tank battalion with the jrost modern ' anti-tank weapons and capable of being transported by air for sC!>' nyiles in 48 hours. It was also proposed to form out of the civil aircraft not less than 12 soumdrens of high-speed, nuilti-engined bombers.

Air Pirow said that it was ' by no means certain that these were adequate for defensive purposes, and South Africa might find in a yeai or two that s*.e required three times the present number of first-line aircraft.

He emphasised that, except in so far as membership of the League of Nations might carry with it a moral obligation to assist a member State against an aggressor, the Union was absolutely unfettered in its right to decide whether it should join in a war in Africa-or anywhere else.

Referring to the question ~of a common defence policy with the Union's northern neighbours, Mr Pirow said : “Ultimately a common native.,-, ana common defence, poliev for the Union and for the . whole of ..British ‘ Africa south of the Sudan seems ' inevitable.but there is no necessity to force the pace in this, connection.” He added t#at it was at present impossible .for ,South Africa to repel an attack by.'ajfrfid-class Power which nac? complete (mfitrol of the sea and was unhampered by a powerful opponent near her borders.