BRITISH AIMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22983, 10 March 1938, Page 15

BRITISH AIMS

FUTURE emergency • *■ - ■ j protective steps demands on foeces naval expansion W OBIv OF CO-ORDINATION By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyrighl British Wireless RUGBY, March f The Minister for the Co-ordina-tion of Defence, Sir Thomas Inskip replying to a question during the defence / debate in the House oi Commons, said the review of th( country's whole industry, asked foi by Mr. Churchill, was precisely the task which was being carried out bj seven committees of the Supplj Board. This task was for the completion oi the armament programme, and foi organising what would be potential supplies if an emergency should overtake the country. The Prime Minister, Mr. Chamberlain, and himself were in almost dailj contact with the Chiefs of Staff, the •Minister added. Task of the Navy Referring to the naval expansion. Sir Thomas said it was a mistake tc suppose that great naval battles were things of the past. Security lay first in a concentration of forct?, represented b;r the main fleets, but that was not the Navy's whole task, for the defence of widely-scattered trade routes must be undertaken by scattered units oi the Fleet. As for the Army, it must be available for both the defence of British territories, and for the defence of British interests overseas, including whatever obligations were undertaken bj the Government. In regard to air defences, the Aii Force held a place second to none in its preparation to resist a "knock-out" blc v. Sufficiency in the Air Force was & condition of safety, and further increases in the number and size of the squadrons lately approved would secure the maximum of efficiency. The vast majority of squadrons were fullj equipped. London's Balloon Barrage A" balloon barrage for London was organised in 10 squadrons, and there would be four storage and administrative depots. The measures of expansion contemplated included a further increase in the. already powerful coast defence fighter force, and anti-aircraft guns foi London's defence, together with othe* defence resources which he could not mention, would be very effective as a coast defence against invaders. Regarding attacks on trade shipping and food-bearing ships, port emergency committees had been set up in the 45 principal commercial ports., MUNITIONS SUPPLY AUSTRALIA'S ACTION EXPERIMENTAL ORDER WARTIME MANUFACTURE MELBOURNE, March 9 The Prime Minister, Mr. J. A. Lyons, utated that if it became necessary for private enterprise to undertake the production of munitions in a time of national, emergency, the profits would be controlled by legislation. 1 Mr. Lyons announced the six successful tenders for an experimental supply of munitions—to cost about £IOO,OO0 —which had been opened as a guide to the ability of private enterprise to provide the components of munitions in time of war. POLICY OF LABOUR BLIND PEER'S OPPOSITION EFFECT ON WORLD PEACE LONDON. March 8 The Daily Mail says Lord Sanderson, aged 69, who has been blind since birth, is resigning fi »m the Labour Party as he feels its attainment to office would menace peace. Lord Sanderson says that he is unable to Vvork for an organisation whose policy involves so much hatred of foreign Powers, and which is prepared to tight on behalf of collective security. Lady Sanderson is also resigning from the Labour Party. NAVAL BUILDING PROPOSED SUSPENSION (Received March 1), 9.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, March 8 A resolution asking President Roosevelt to propose a cessation of naval construction by the world Powers until 1940 and to call an arms limitation conference has been introduced in the House of Representatives by Mr. L. Ludlow (Democrat—lndiana). BRITISH REARMAMENT NO GERMAN OBJECTION BERLIN. March 8 "Political circles in Berlin are willing to accept Mr. Chamberlain's assurances that British armament is not aggressive," said a Government spokesman. ''As long as British armaments resemhlp those of the porcupine, meaning that they are purely defensive, no objection can be raised," he added. FRANCE PLEASED MR. CHAMBERLAIN'S SPEECH PARIS. March 8 The newspapers give Mr. Chamberlain's speech on defence in the House ®f Commons an enthusiastic reception, especially welcoming his assurances that England's military obligation to France has not varied.