AIR DEFENCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21861, 25 July 1934, Page 11

AIR DEFENCE

BRITAIN'S NEED STRENGTHENED FORCE GOVERNMENT'S PLAN LABOUR OPPOSITION CENSURE MOTION LOST By TelPErrnph—Press Association—Copyright (Received July 24. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON", July 23 Lord Ponsonbv, in the House of Lords to-day, moved a Labour motion of censure, condemning the Government for the increase in armaments before the termination of the Disarmament Conference, on tho ground that it did not cive the country security and was bound to lead to armament competition, which would endanger world peace. The motion was rejected by 54 votes to' 9. Lord Ponsonby quoted Mr. Baldwin's recQnt admission that no power on earth conld prevent Britain being bombed, as a bomber would always get. through. Tho announcement of a sensational increase in the Air Force, which would in no way give security, was "wanton mutilation of the authority of the Legguo of Nations at a critical moment," said Lord Ponsonbv. As the announcement immediately followed M. Bartjou's visit to London, it made one vondc?r if a hidden obligation had been undertaken of which the country was igiorant. British Position of Inferiority The Secretary of State for Air, the Marquess of Londonderry, in replying, paid the Government had by no means abandoned hope of ultimately reaching a disarmament convention but, having regard to Britain's present weakness in the air and tie widespread concern this had aroused, ifc had been concluded that in the light of developments abroad therd could be delay no longer. Tn the matter of the defence services generally, and tie Royal Air Force in particular, the Government • had preached and prattised a degree of restraint which had placed Britain to-day in what amounted vj a jjosition of unilateral disarmament. The strongest air Power at the end of the last war, Britaii had now ranked fifth for some years it terms of firstline strength. No responsible Government could allow the Air/Force to re-, main in a position of such'inferiority. Total Cost of £20,001,000

Lo;rd Londonderry stated '•.hat 23 of the'4l air squadrons would be allocated for home defence. The remainier would go overseas.

The aggregate cost of the jxoposals up to 1938 would be £20,000,0X1. The instalment in no single year woald exceed fd or Id in the £1 incomu tax, which was not a disproportionate insurance premium.

The Government's proposals to increase the Royal Air Force by 41 squadrons in the jiext five years will "oe debated in both Houses before Parli.v i ment adjourns for the summer recess •at the end of the month. In the House of ,Commons a vote of censure will be moved by the Labour Leader, Mr. George Lansbury.