ADEQUATE DEFENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22421, 16 November 1934, Page 9

ADEQUATE DEFENCE

NATIONAL AND IMPERIAL STRENGTH OF THE SERVICES LONDON, November 14. f (Received Nov. 15, at 8.30 p.m.) tn the House of Lords, Lord Mottistone asked the Government clearly to define our needs in regard to national and imperial defence, with a view to securing adequate recruiting for all three branches. Without'a great sustained improvement in recruiting, the Government would be .forced to raise the necessary strengths by conscription. Earl Beatty supported the motion, and complained that a section of the press was leading the country to believe that the navy was no longer necessary and could be replaced by the Air Force. Viscount Hailsham, in reply, said that modern development in warfare had in no way diminished the importance of the older arms. There was no lees need of defence on sea and land, and capital ships were still an essential element in the battle fleet. It was hoped to reach an agreement to avoid competition in naval armaments, while us free to maintain the fleet, on which the Empire depended, at a strength neeessary for our security. With regard to the expansion of the Air Force Viscount Hailsham said that the Air Ministry had already decided on 11 sites for aerodromes. The Government was straining everv nerve to produce an atmosphere in \lhich an international disarmament agreement would be possible. Failing this the Government did not propose to disregard the responsibility to disarm unilaterally.