How Long Has Britain to Rearm ?

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 212, 8 September 1938, Page 7

How Long Has Britain to Rearm ?

THREATENED AGGRESSION GOVERNMENT MISJUDGED BADLY, SAYS LABOUR LONDON, Sept. 6. Sir Walter Citrine, in reporting to the Trades Union Congress on the negotiations with .the Government over the rearmament measures, said: “Mr Chamberlain indicated that rapid and extensive rearmament was essential. He told us of Britain’s probable allies and :he capacity of potential aggressors, and nade tt clear from which quarter aggression was likely to come. It is common knowledge that, step by step, aggression is threatening from the dictator States.” Sir Walter expressed the opinion that the Government had badly misjudged the position and that the rapidity and extensiveness of the German rearmament had apparently escaped its notiee. “The Government,” he said, “thought we were going to bo allowed three years in which to re-equip ourselves. Unfortunately, there is every indication that the approach to the crisis might b© much earlier, “The unions told Mr Chamberlain that his foreign policy did not commend itself to them and that the nearer hit policy came to collective security the more likely he was to get a response from the unions.” Sir Walter deplored the view that there should be no collaboration with the Government. On the contrary, the general feeling of the congress was that it would be better to use influence to control the Government than to stand outside. A motion to refer back the rearmament section of the report was defeated overwhelmingly. LONDON DEFENCES BALLOON BARRAGE INSPECTED (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Wept. 6. The Secretary for Air, Sir Kingsley Wood, inspected balloon barrage squadrons at Kidbrooke Park, Eltham, Kent The balloon barrage is intended to play an important part in tho defence of London from air attack.