EMPIRE’S SAFEGUARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18515, 28 March 1922, Page 5

EMPIRE’S SAFEGUARD

AIR FORCE ESSENTIAL. POLICY OUTLINED BY EXPERT. A NEW AGE APPROACHING. Piece Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, March 25. Brigadier-general Groves, an air expert, in concluding a series of special articles in The Times, submits that the aims of British air policy should be: 1. To build rapidly and economically a possible striking air force for home defence, lest the heart of the Elmpire should be left open to sudden and direct attack from the air. 2. To provide an army and navy with specialised air forces, with the essential efficiency. 3. To create a Royal air force organisation to carry out the duties at present performed by the Army and Navy. 4. To maintain and develop the aircraft industry. Brigadier-general Groves said that civil aviation had suffered in' the past because it had not been definitely and clearly identified with national defence. State grants were the only possible means of creating defensive air fleets or _ of exploiting and utilising civil aviation, the bulk of the material and the personnel of which should be promptly available at the outbreak of war. We were faced with an extensive growth of air power throughout the Continent and the world, and we were not creating adequate means to meet that force. M early four centuries ago the great sea captains laid the foundation of our sea power, and gave England peace and security. We could no, longer lock to sea power to protect us. We stood upon the threshold of a new age. To us was given the greater task of building up a mightier force to safeguard the future of the Empire.—Times. GARRISONING OF IRAK. AERIAL TOUR OF INSPECTION. LONDON, Marh 26. Th ; e Air Ministry announces that Sir Percy Oox (High Commissioner for Irak), accompanied by his staff, carried out the first aerial inspection of t(iat part of the country which lies along the Euphrates. The flight of 300 miles was accomplished in a day., The party were carried in three Vickcrs-Yernon troop-carrying aeroplanes, each capable of carrying a load of nearly two tons and accommodating 12 persons with full military equipment, in addition to the pilots and water and food supplies. The party were escorted by 12 aeroplanes. The visit greatly impressed the tribes. The Vernon machines are destined to play an important part In the garrisoning of Irak when it comes entirely under Air Force control.—A. and N.Z. Cable.