RAPID PROGRESS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23263, 4 February 1939, Page 15

RAPID PROGRESS

BRITAIN'S DEFENCE MAGNITUDE OF EFFORT NOT SUFFICIENTLY REALISED MOST GAPS NOW FILLED By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received February 3, G. 5 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON, Feb. 2 In a letter to Mr. Chamberlain from the panel of industrialists set up to advise in connection with the industrial aspects of rearmament, which Mr. Chamberlain read to the House of Commons, a number of important statements aro made on tho progress of rearmament.

Tho panel states that tho service departments, supported by tho Treasury, are rapidly accomplishing a very difficult task of great complexity with efficiency and foresight, even to the extent, in some cases, of establishing new industries in the country. It feels that the magnitudo of tho effort being made is not sufficiently realised by tho country as a whole. Regarding deficiencies which were found to exist in tho defence equipment of the nation at the time of the crisis in September, the panel says that, on tho figures submitted to it, it feols that most of these gaps have been filled, or are being filled, as rapidly as possible. The panel is satisfied that tho wholehearted co-operation of industry in the rearmament programme has been forthcoming. It cites as an example the close co-operation between the Air Ministry and the aircraft industry, as a result of which there has been so marked an increase in the rate of production of aircraft.

EVENT OF AIR RAID THE FIRST 24* HOURS PLAN FOR 200,000 BEDS VEHICLES FOR AMBULANCES (Received February 3, 6.5 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON, Feb. 1 In tho course of an answer in Parliament on the question of organisation of medical services in connection with civil defence, tho Minister of Health, Mr. Walter Elliot, said plans had been made for finding 200,000 beds in existing hospitals in the first 2-1 hours of an emergency.

Regarding transport for ambulance work, tho London County Council already had 1200 commercial vehicles earmarked. Another 800 would bo so earmarked quite soon.

GAS PROTECTION CHILDREN IN BRITAIN! LONDON, Feb. 2 The Minister of Civilian Defence, Sir John Anderson, announced in the House of Commons to-day that satisfactory gas protection for infants under two years of age had been designed, and production was going forward with all possible speed. In addition, 1,100,000 respirators suitablo for all children over two years of age were on order.