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Hokitika Guardian, 18 September 1937, Page 4

“We oiler to tho world as an irresistible bulwark a normal armament, which consists of the readiness oi mir people to face issues and to bear sacrifices,” said the British War Minister, Mr Hore-Belisha, in a recent speech on the progress made; in the defence plan. The value of work done at the Royal Ordnance factories had, he said, increased from £3.351,954 in 1935 to £7.299.500 to-day. In the same period the number of War Department employees at Woolwich had increased from 12.807 to 23.98<. Defence expenditure to-day was £80,000,000 greater than the whole of the Budget in 1914. Referring to the decision just taken—“however tardily, tearfully or tactically”—by the Opposition, to support rearmament, hi' pointed out that the policy of national defence, now represented the determination of Britain as a whole. ‘ r Perhaps the most impressive spectacle of what can he done on a voluntary basis.” lie continued, “is presented by that marvellous establishment the Territorial Army a civilian

army composed of 155,009" men, giv-

ing up their time and leisure to master the military arts. We are establishing post-war records in territorial recruiting, and the strength is greater than it has been since the Territorial Army was reconstituted in 1920. ’