BRITISH DEFENCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22580, 19 November 1936, Page 11

BRITISH DEFENCE

SECURITY STEPS EXCELLENT PROGRESS REVIEW BY MINISTER STRENGTH OF THE FORCES By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright British Wireless HUG BY. Nov. 17 In replying to a debate in the House of Lords, the Secretary of State for Air, Viscount Swinton, said it must be the hope of everybody connected with the League of Nations to bring back into its orbit as many Powers as possible. In the appeasement of Europe one thing was necessary, namely, the influence of Britain for peace. Referring to rearmament, Lord Swinton said it would be a great mistake to assume that foreign policy alone was the sole justification for Britain's defence programme. Apart from that there was a plain duty to see the security of Brit-nn bv sen, air and land. The Army must be properly armed so that it could be effective whenever it had to be used. In the air they had to have a force, defensive and offensive, such as would be at once the most effective defence and the most effective deterrent. Lord Swinton confidently assured the House that the whole training system of the Air Force was highly satisfactory and would bear comparison with that > of any other country in the world. With ! regard to the expansion of aerodromes j tlio position was quite satisfactory. I It was not exaggerating to say that! not months but years had been saved in getting the new and largest types of machines into the air squadrons. In reference to a "balloon barrage" for London, orders had been placed for delivery to begin at the end of next i year. The Government had completed and ; occupied six new aerodromes, and 29; sites had been secured, where work was in progress. Turning to machines, Lord Swinton described the arrangements with firms who had erected large factories connected with production. He said: "We will get the benefit of their skilled management and they will get the benefit of that kind of construction which is required in time of war." The Minister urged the House to assist the Government to achieve the double purpose of a great defensive programme, and a great industrial and economic revival. SCALES OF PEACE BRITAIN'S INFLUENCE READY FOR FRIENDSHIPS British Wireless RUGBY, Nov. 17 Speaking at a luncheon of the Foreign Press Association in London, Sir Samuel ! Hoare, First Lord of the Admiralty, I said the Government was determined i to throw into the scales of peace all the influences at its disposal. Britain did not attempt to impose her views upon other countries, -and she was perfectly ready in the future, as in the past, to make friends with Governments w T hose systems she might think totally inapplicable to this country and, indeed, altogether opposed to British public opinion.

It was necessary that the Government should have all possible power for military defence and that the country should re-equip itself to take its full part in the world. Britain had threatened no one in her preparations. "We refuse to accept the resounding prophecy of despair that a world war is inevitable," said the First Lord, "and we are determined to the utmost to render its fruition impossible."