BRITAIN REARMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22499, 17 August 1936, Page 6

BRITAIN REARMS

rapid peogeess made CONTRACTS FOR MUNITIONB DEVELOPMENT IN THE AIR [from ottr own correspondent] LONDON, July 25 Britain's rearmament programme is proceeding at full speed. Tlip rapid progress made was described by Sir Thomas Jnskip, Minister for Co-ordiriation of Defence, in the House of Commons this week. Additions to the Nary, he said, were being made on a quicklygrowing scale, and important steps taken to protect the nation's supply of food and raw materials. Facts given by Sir Thomas Inskip ineluded: —Fifty-five firms, apart from those already supplying, have been offered munition contracts. Fourteen have accepted, and nearly all the others will do so. This, with the production in the regular sources of supply, will provide for seven-eighths of the total requirements of the Government in shell, fuse, and gun cartridge cases. The Royal Filling Factory will be transferred from Woolwich, in part to South Wales,, in part to Lancashire, and in part to Scotland. A filling factory at Hereford will be brought into full operation. A former gun factory at Nottingham is being acquired and the necessary equipment installed. This is indispensable for air defence. Home Defences The Government is asking for tho accession to the territorials of all men. even up to 50 years of age. Wanted particularly are those with some experience of gunnery. Ordinary ages for enlistment in the territorials are 18 to 3S, For anti-aircraft units and coast, dpfence men are taken up to 50. There is amazing development in the air. Service machines of to-day could have competed for the Schneider Trophy. Forty new aerodromes are being equipped or acquired During the past three months deliveries of aeroplanes have been three and a-half times, and those of engines twice, the numbers of the same period in 1935. Distressed Areas Benefit There has lieen a great expansion in the homo production of machine tools. Manufacturers are producing to full capacity and finding the skilled men. The total contracts for firms m distressed area« amount to £17.000,000 for the financial year 1935-36. For the first quarter of the present financial year, April to June, the total is mora than £7,500,000. Mr. Winston Churchill made a trenchant criticism of the Government's policy and referred to "insensate delays." Mr. Neville Chamberlain's reply was of frank asperity. He said the Government had every reason to be satisfied with the progress made in rearmament. They would soon be wel] on their way to the production of munitions at a, rate which would satisfy Mr. Churchill.