BRITAIN PREPARES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 67, 16 February 1939, Page 10

BRITAIN PREPARES

GREAT DEFENCE PROGRAMME. (United Press Association—By Electric Tel e graph. —Copy ri gh t.) Received February id, t,45 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 15. The Defence White Paper released to-day states that the system of erecting factories at the Government’s expense and managed by business men liad been extended. Royal Air Force recruits for the year ending March 31, 1939, will probably reach 35,000, the White Paper adds. Over 2500 volunteer reservists are being trained as pilots. The Territorial Army has been reorganised to conform with the Regular Army with the addition of motorcycle battalions. ' The balloon barrage lias been extended to the provinces, and comprises 47 squadrons. Air Raid Precaution Volunteers enrolled to December totalled 1,150,000. Steel shelters are being provided for ten million people, basements are being strengthened and trenches completed at a cost of £20,000,000. Fifty thousand beds and nmttresses are being distributed to hospitals and institutions, and 200,000 blankets have been ordered. The Government has allotted £o ; - 000,000 for the storage of food, fertilisers and petroleum in 1939 compared with £8.500.000 in 1935. Sixty warships, with a total tonnage of 120.000, are expected to be added to the Fleet in the forthcoming financial year. Three capital ships are being modernised. The report concludes: His Majestv’s Government is confident that the people will be ready to tear the heavy burden involved and share m the "determination of the Government to ensure the adequacy of our defence preparations.

Earlier messages relating to the above appear on page 9.