HUGE COST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23222, 16 December 1938, Page 11

HUGE COST

ITALY'S DEFENCE URGENCY STRESSED STRONGER ARMAMENTS MILLIONS TO BE SPENT By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received December 35, 0.30 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 15 An announcement by the Italian Cabinet Btat.es that owing to tho urgent necessity of further developing and strengthening Italy's armaments in view of the general situation, tho total expenditure in this direction for tho year beginning July 1, 1939, will be £92,000,000, says the Home correspondent of the British United Press. This sum is in addition to tho £19,250,000 already earmarked for defence, which will bo preserved for later necessities. Tho Army will receive £37,845,000; the Navy £30,040,000; and tho Air Force £24.115,000. Appropriations for public works, mercantile marine and communications will also be increased. The total Budget expenditure is £325,745,000, and the estimated revenue £273,000,000. Tho current year's expenditure on armaments was £64,430,000. After 90 years' existence, the Italian Chamber of Deputies was to-day replaced by the Chamber of Fascios and Corporations. The new chamber will be inaugurated on March 23. At the final session the Chamber of Deputies passed a bill under which deputies agreed that in the ovent of war they should be immediately drafted to the front line. GAS MASKS DECREED SURPRISE ITALIAN MOVE PROTECTION OF CIVILIANS Independent Cablo Service HOME. Dec. 14 The Italian Government has ordered landlords, industrialists and professional men to provide gas masks for their staffs before December 31. Tho decision is surprising, as gas masks in the past have been practically unavailable outside the Army.