BRITISH ARMS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23708, 16 January 1939, Page 10

BRITISH ARMS

FACTORY’S HIGH RATE OF PRODUCTION MORE GUNS THAN IN WAR TIME ■ (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, Jan. 13. The Secretary for War (Mr L. Hore-Belisha) visited the Royal Ordnance Factory at Nottingham, where many of the modem antiaircraft guns are being made. The main buildings were erected during the war and were disposed of afterwards. They were repurchased in September, 1936, and deliveries of armaments began in December, 1.937. The factory now employs 3300 workers, and is producing even more guns than in wartime. THE ARMED FORCES GREATEST EXTENSION IN PEACETIME (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, Jan. 14. (Received Jan. 15, at 6.30 p.m.) Earl Winterton, referring in a speech to the progress of rearmament, said the Government and the country had been carrying out the greatest strengthening and extension of the armed forces ever attempted in peace time, in addition to a huge, novel scheme of civilian and passive defence. Britain and the Empire as a whole were becoming stronger every day. He hoped that they had no potential enemies, Earl Winterton proceeded, but, if there should be any such, it would be deplorable if they should fall into the same error as those nations which were ranged against Britain in 1914. Some of those nations prior to August 4 had underrated the actual strength and residual power of Britain and the Empire.