PLANS WELL LAID.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 205, 31 July 1939, Page 2

PLANS WELL LAID.

BRITAI N’ S READ] N ESS. LONDON, Juno 24. “Britain should not have uintergone that risk winch emailed . having ten capital ships oil the stocks instead ot ui.oat,” said Admiral Lord Cliatlield, .Minister lor the Co-ordination ot Defence, in the House of Lords. He was regretting Labour’s decision of 1931 to defer replacement of the battle fleet fur five years. Lord Lliatnckl, in dealing with civil defence, said that fighter squadrons were so disposed as to intercept an enemy at the earliest moment at a high altitude. Guns were protecting all important areas, and an enormous number of searchlights, as well as a balloon barrage to stop low-flying attacks, were available. Light auti-air-cralt guns were capable of a tremendous rate of fire. The intelligence system included observer, corps. It would he impracticable to use the man-power and material of reserves in order specifically to protect all points, apart from the protection which the general defence system provided, because it would entail an unjustifiable dispersal of forces. Specialist officers had reconnoitred the whole country, and the Government had taken their advice.

Protection of important points against sabotage was simple. hut it could not he provided everywhere. Nevertheless, nothing was left to chance.

Progress during the past four months was highly reassuring, and was steadily increasing. Never was there a time when plans were so thought full v and carefully laid. Britain was well on the way to achieve readiness Unwar.