PLANS APPROVED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22117, 24 May 1935, Page 11

PLANS APPROVED

FURTHER DETAILS IMPOSING PROGRAMME PRAISE FOR MR. BALDWIN STATESMANLIKE UTTERANCE By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received May 23, 6.15 p.m.) LONDON, May 23 The newspapers, practically without exception, approve Mr. Baldwin's speech and his measures for air expansion.

The latter include, besides the increase in aircraft, five new Royal Air Force training schools, a substantial increase in civilian training schools, 2500 more pilots, 20,600 men of other ranks, 31 new stations in addition to the 18 in the existing programme.

The Times says Mr. Baldwin's speech has created a profound impassion. Naturally he did not countenance the absurd criticism already heard in Paris that Herr Hitler's proposals were too vague to be of value. It would be difficult, says the Times, to recall a speech by a Prime Minister or Foreign Minister of this or any country which has given so clear a definition of the national policy. No passage in Mr. Baldwin's speech was more welcome than his plea for perfect frankness between Britain and Germany. There is a basis at last for the practical work of settlement.

The first step to take is surely to negotiate an Air Locarno. Herr Hitler has recommitted his Government to this project, to which every signatory of Locarno has declared itself favourable. The prospect of war, which was never very imminent, now has definitely receded, adds, the Times. The Sun-Herald news service says that in his eloquent opening of the debate on defence policy, Mr. Baldwin's declaration was one of the most statesmanlike heard in the House of Commons for many a day. The New Zealand Minister of Finance and the High Commissioner, Mr. J. G. Coates and Sir James Parr, were in the packed Dominions Gallery and listened intently while M. Baldwin spoke. Emotion was felt when Mr. Baldwin described the world, 2000 years after the Crucifixion, as being still faced with the possibility of women and children being dragged into the street to suffer war's utmost terrors. The Labour Party's opposition was a lastminute surprise, many members of the party desiring to abstain or to support the Government.-