EMPIRE DEFENCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23340, 8 May 1939, Page 12

EMPIRE DEFENCE

THE DOMINIONS' PAET PREPARATIONS IN EARNEST AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND COMMENT BY THE TIMES By Telegraph—Press Association — : Copyright Independent Cablo Service LONDON, May 5

In an editorial article the Times says there is rto doubt, of the earnestness with which Australia and New Zealand are preparing to play their part in the defence of the Empire. The paper recalls recent statements by the Prime Miriistfer of New Zealand, the Finance Minister, Mr. Walter Nash, and Mr. G. A. Street, Australian Defence Minister.

"There are no communities more peace-lbving than the two great British democracies in the South Pacific," says the paperi "They desire nothing more than to be allowed to concentrate on the work of social progress, to which they are committed, but they stand firmly for the same ideals as the rest of the British family, and are resolved to resist any attack on them or any threat to the safety of the Empire."

ITALY PREPARED \ AVIATION FORCES POWERFUL EXPLOSIVE FUEL PROBLEM SOLVED- :■ » • "• LONDON, May 5 Italy has voted £12,500,000 for additional expenditure over five years on aircraft construction, says the Rome correspondent of the British United Press.

The 1939-40 Budget absorbs a total of £24,300,000, an increase of £10,050,000, as compared with the previous year.

The Under-Secretary for Air, Signor Vallee, stated that Italian aviation no longer needed foreign petrols. Italy possessed the most powerful Italianmade explosive, which was successfully tested in the Spanish campaign. Italian aviation would occupy first place when the hour struck. BRITISH CONSCRIPTION OPPOSITION BY LABOUR METHODS OF RESISTANCE (Received May 7, 6.30 - • • LONDON, May 6 TheKo Conscription League has issued a manifesto urging all sections of the Labour movement to withdraw their representatives from the National Service-' Committees and to refuse to support the Government's proposals. The'-Kent Miners' Association has passed- a resolution -condemning the Government's policy. ■, The. South Wales Council of Labour, with a membership of 240,000, has pledged itself, to resist conscription.

LAND FORCES INCREASE IN BRITAIN MANY THOUSANDS ENLIST (Received May 7, 5.5 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON, May 6 The Secretary of State for War, Mr. L. Hore-Belisha, informed the House of Commons yesterday that, from April 1 to 29, 32ei4 recruits were finally approved for. .the Regular Army, and approximately 88,000 men enlisted, or were in process of enlistment, for the Territorial Army/

MILITARY TRAINING COM PULSION REJECTED LABOUR IN AUSTRALIA CANBERRA, May 6 The Australian Labour Party at its conference to-day rejected by an overwhelming majority a : motion by the Tasmaiiian branch in favour of compulsory physical and military training. The TasnVanian delegates fought vigorously for the proposal, claiming that it was the only practicable, defence programme Labour could adopt;

TANGANYIKA'S STEPS IM PORTA NT' R RECAUT lONS LONDON, May 5 The Tanganyika Government is making an effort to increase the officers of thfe King's African Rifles and also the native reserves, says the Dar-es-Salaam correspondent of the Times. Four hundred additional police will be enrolled, a reserve' of air pilots is being trained, and 1450 persons have been enrolled on the voluntary register. Air raid precautions are being completed and supplies are being examined.