BRITISH DEFENCE POLICY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 25 March 1936, Page 11

BRITISH DEFENCE POLICY

PEACE AS THE GOAL The early months of the year are those that normally, through the discussion of the Estimates in Parliament. call public attention to the state of the • defence services, says “The Times.” This year that question will figure more prominently than it lias for a generation. It is hound indeed to be the outstanding feature of the session. The concern confessed in. and aroused by, the White Paper of March,’ 1935, has gone on growing in the 12 months since its publication. There have lately been constant meetings of the defence committee of the Cabinet, and it is known that the whole Cabinet has also had the same vital questions under consideration. It is accepted everywhere that this will involve increased outlay, but not with the purpose of mere competitive arming. We,- as a people, postponed our own armament until it was no longer possible to hope that other countries would desist from tile race already begun. If we now unwillingly see the necessity of hastening our steps, it is sUU with a reasoned aim that has peace as its goal. The rearmament which the overwhelming majority of the British public now approve is “constructive rearmament”—that is to say, rearmament adopted in support of a progressive and determined League policy. If Cie League is to be the means of political settlement, it needs to have practical resources at its back. So long as the nation is assured that rearmament has such a purpose the nation will rally to support it. And tile outlay will not be grudged so long as a further assurance exists—that tiie expenditure, besides having an aim, is aimed well. The very fact that we have fallen so far behind in the process of rearmament makes it the more important lo a\o : d any false step or profitless effort in leaking up the leeway. “The Times” then goes on fq advocate more co-ordination between tne three defence services Navv. Army and Air Force.