DEFENCE NEEDS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22422, 17 November 1934, Page 13

DEFENCE NEEDS

MODERN DEVELOPMENTS HOUSE OF LORDS DEBATE (British Official Wireless.) (United Press Association.) > (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) RUGBY, November 15. During the debate in the House of Lords on the definition of the needs for national and Imperial defence, Lord Hailsham agreed with Lord Beatty that modern developments did not in any way diminish the importance of the older arms in the service. Co-operation of the three services had never been more actual than at present. In reply to a question, Lord Hailsham said the capital ship still formed an essential element in the battle fleet, upon which the whole structure of naval strategy depended. The capital ships •in the navy were approaching, the limit for age and efficiency, and the question of their replacement was to be considered before very long. The war-built cruisers were being replaced by a steady programme at the present time. The question of the number of cruisers necessary to provide for our sea communications was a matter of most serious consideration. The urgent and imperative necessity for maintaining the fleet in a position adequate to maintain security of communications was fully recognised. Lord Hailsham, after dealing with the army, outlined at length the steps taken to implement the Government’s announcement regarding an increase in the strength of the Royal Air Force. The Air Minister had definitely decided on 11 sites for new aerodromes. The sites had been actually acquired or- were well advanced towards acquisition, and the programme announced by the Air Minister was being steadily and actively pursued.