AIR REARMAMENT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 4 May 1938, Page 7

AIR REARMAMENT

LACK OF PROGRESS MUDDLE AND WASTE ALLEGED FINANCIAL CIRCLES IN BRITAIN ALARMED i United Press Association -by Electric Telegraph —Copy right! (Received 4th May, 9.0 a.m.) LONDON, 3rd May. The city editor of the "Daily Mail” says the bankers and financial circles are alarmed at the lack of progress in air rearmament and are privately discussing action to impress their misgivings upon the Government. It is even suggested that a manifesto should be presented similar to the manifesto of 1931, which called on the Labour Government to retrench expenditure and re-establish credit It is understood the bankers’ consideration of a public protest is due to the aircraft Industry’s reluctance to speak out, owing to the possibility of contravening the Official Secrets Act, although there are many allegations of muddle and waste.

The "News Chronicle” in the same way alleges inadequacy and muddle in air defence preparations, adding that civilians are s'. 11 virtually defenceless. If war were to break out t£e Government would be unable to give warning of the approach Of air raiders, as the necessary sirens have not been manufactured and air-raid shelters for the public caught in the streets are nonexistent. The suggested system of trenches in parks and open spaces is still incomplete on paper, and the firefighting system is still not ready and volunteers are lacking Although France and Germany are enforcing laws that new buildings shall comply with specifications providing protection again fire and bomb splinters, the British Government for three years has watched the building of hundreds of blocks of flats and offices, of which only a fraction contain air-raid precautions.