DEFENCE FORCES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23118, 18 February 1937, Page 9

DEFENCE FORCES

BRITAIN’S PROGRAMME CONTRACTS FOR AIRCRAFT (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, Feb. 16. The extent of Britain’s aerial rearmament was revealed by Sir Philip Sassoon’s written reply in the House of Commons, which, stated that contracts amounting to £67,122,000 had been placed for the year ended December 31. ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE ißritish Cilicia. Wireless, RUGBY, Feb. 16. A statement relating to defence expenditure, issued as a White Paper, states that it ’s probable that the level of expenditure over the next two or three years will be very much heavier than in the current year. It is not at present possible to determine what will be the peak year of defence expenditure. Taking the programme as it stands today. however, it would be imprudent to contemplate a total expenditure on defence during the next five years of much less than £ 1,500,000,000. On this estimate, the statement says, deeply as it deplores the necessity for this vast expenditure on armaments and other defensive - measures, his Majesty’s Government is convinced that it must be undertaken. REASON FOR REARMAMENT (British Official Wireless) RUGBY. Feb. 16. In a speech Mr Duff-Cooper said Britain was arming in order to promote the cause of peace in the world. The British Empire had not a greater interest than that of peace. In arming for peace they were also arming for the interests of Britain There was a general feeling that the emergency was so great and the danger so real that whatever sacrifices might be necessary those sacrifices must be borne. BRITAIN’S OIL SUPPLY LONDON. Feb. 16. A conference has been opened in the Board of Trade to_ consider a move to save Britain’s oil simply by reverting from oil to coal for certain classes of shipping. It was pointed out that 47 per cent, of merchant ships depend on oil, including a large number of tramp ships. The entire combatant navy uses oil exclusively, ancj, the Royal Air Force and a great part of the army depend on oil for mobility. The question of supply in case of emergency, therefore, has become one of national importance. Any reduction in the demand for nil would ease the burden on naval defence, release warships proportionately from convoy duty. and. of course, benefit the coal trade. It is believed that all tramo vessels and much other shipping might advantageously revert to coal.

NAVAL CONSTRUCTION LONDON. Feb. 16. The White Paper states that heavy naval expenditure must be incurred in the next few years to bring the navv up to the strength necessary to perform its functions. A considerable number of existing shins are already or will shortly become overage. Only three of the’ls capital ships are of post-war construction. The navy’s average cost in 1931-34 was under £12.000,000. but in 1936 it would be nearlv £SO 000,000. and in 1937 substantially higher. Preliminary steps have been taken to order three capital shins, -each costing £8.000.000. during the next financial year, also seven cruisers and additional aircraft carriers. The heavy cost also involved the modernising of existing vessels, including improved anti-aircraft defence, the modernisation of dockyards and other naval establishments. There will also be a big increase in the navv’s nersonnel. No effort will be spared to bring the Air Force up to the level deemed renuisite for safety. The personnel has risen from 31,000 in 1934 to over 50.000 in 1936. A further large increase is contemplated, also the acquisition of a large number of new aerodromes, provision ft r new training stations at home and abroad, defenee of overseas bases. The Paper adds that additions are reouired to meet the menace of air attack, and that increased protection will be provided at important ports abroad in the form of anti-air-craft batteries and searchlights. Modernisation of coast defences at home and abroad will also involve considerable expenditure. While army recruiting has shown a slight improvement, the measures being adopted make service more attractive. but involve a considerable increase in maintenance costs. Two new infantry battalions will be raised’ shortly, also new tank battalions. The home defence programme includes more efficient anti-aircraft measures. New and more effective guns are being manufactured, also large numbers of searchlights and balloons for barrages. The object is to ensure that the ai r defence organisation will be readily adaptable to meet whatever type of air attack the United Kingdom might be called on to face. The fire risk from incendiary bombs is a problem beyond the capacity of normal peace-time fire brigades, and arrangement' have been planned to accumulate additional fire-fighting appliances. Steps are being taken to ensure that national establishments and industries vital to defence are not paralysed by the DUTY TO BRITISH PEOPLE (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, Feb. 16. (Received Feb. 17, at 5.5 p.m.) The statement, after emphasising the wide range of the programme, proceeds: “ The formidable nature of the task confronting the British Government is apparent Since it was first embarked upon the condipace cannot be said to have become tions which governed the extent and more favourable, and at present at any rate there would be no justification for any reduction or slowing down of the programme. His Majesty’s Government firmly believes that in the form it is presented the programme is a contribution indispensable to peace and one which it is a duty to the British people to make. The desire is to deal with all problems by elastic means susceptible of adaption in the light of changes in world conditions and of the new need arising from the intensive application of scientific research and invention. Recent years hava

witnessed an immense elaboration of the mechanical equipment of the fighting services. Moreover, the forces, once equipped, must be assured of swift and steady replacement in war. While these necessities are common to many nations, the wide dispersal of British territories and the dependence of the Home Country on supplies overseas lay a special responsibility on the British forces and above all on the British Navy to preserve freedom of communications Modernisation of the defences of the strategic points in various parts of the Empire is in itself a formidable item in the cost of the defence programme ”

COMMENT ON PROPOSALS LONDON, Feb. l 6 (Received Feb. 17, at 8 p.m.) Declaring that a convincing case had been made out for the financial and economic principles of the Government's defence proposals. The Times, in a leader, says; “ It remains for the House of Commons to see that value is obtained for this vast expenditure and no opportunity is lost of securing such relaxation of international tension as will make the programme and its cost elastic in the right direction.” shortage of essential raw materials. GERMANY STARTLED BERLIN, Feb. 17. (Received Feb. 18, at 1 a.m.) The British defence expenditure startled Germany. “It is colossal,” said the Government spokesman. “ Nevertheless, we do not deny Britain’s right to arm to the extent she deems necessary and we claim the same right.” Other German commentators question Britain’s need to arm so extensively, saying that Britain’s position is far less exposed than Germany’s. It is suggested that even air attack would be less dangerous to Britain than to Germany because enemy aeroplanes will always take some time to reach the British coast, thus enabling more efficient defence measures to be taken. ITALIANS IMPRESSED ROME, Feb. 17. (Received Feb. 18, at 1.45 a.m.) The Italians are impressed at Britain’s determination to. repair her armament deficiencies and amazed at the vast expenditure involved. Some critics declare that Britain and France are now leading the armaments race to heights to which poorer countries will be unable to follow without intolerably burdening the citizens. Italy’s response is expected on March 1, when the Fascist Grand Council will meet to examine the entire military situation in “ relation to its requirements.” EXPANSION OF THE NAVY LONDON, Feb. 17. (Received Feb. 18, at 1.45 a.m.) The actual expansion of the British Navy under the new proposals will be three capital ships in addition io the two laid down last year, seven cruisers in addition to the seven being laid down in the current year and two aircraft carriers in addition to two in the current year. Full expansion of the fleet air arm to 450 machines will be held up till the carriers have been completed.