INADEQUATE AIR DEFENCE.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5360, 18 February 1916, Page 5

INADEQUATE AIR DEFENCE.

COMPLAINT IN COMMONS

IMPROVING THE SERVICE

Lodon, Last Night. 1 lie House of Commons was crowded for the discussion of Mr JoynsonHick’s amendment that the (House regrets that Mr Asquith’s speech did not mention proposals for placing the air service on a firmer basis. He sfii<l that the new arm had revolutionised warfare. Major Churchill in March, 1915, had referred to the swarm of hornets which would attack any visiting Zeppelin. Where were they at presentP Out airmen on the western front had been outclassed. A letter from a Commoner at the front described the German machines cruising slowly out of thenlines and treating with contempt our anti-aircraft guns. The air service should be under the control of one man, and it was absolutely necessary to know who was responsible for the air service, laird French had quite enough to do without this. When the Zeppelins wore last in England they passed the coast in broad daylight, flying very low, but the British antiaircraft corps was still armed with guns used in the Boer war, which were utterly useless. A strong offensive would be much bettor than defensive warfare.

Mr Tennant (Under-Secretary of Mar), in replying, said that Britain’s iair service was constantly developing. it was intended for offensive, not for defensive purposes. The most that could lx> done was to protect vulnerable points in such a way that the enemy’s losses would be so great as toact hs a, deterrent. He wouuld not give an assurance whether the Government bad grasped the gravity of the situation, but he would simply state the action the Government bad taken. It had made strides towards providing the proper defences, but the system of defence in every par of the British Isles could never In- complete. “From to-day,’’ said Mr Tennant, “the Nuvy will /leal with all hostile aircraft attempting to reach the country, and the Army with ivi reraft which reaches the shores. A standing naval and military committee will be formed to coordinate flic questions of supply of materials. Sir Percy Scott will be transferred to the War Office from the command of the air defences of London. The Ministry of Munitions will lie responsible for armament for aerial defence. Steps will be taken to give more adequate warnings of raids.’ Mr Tennant protested against the panic which the debate bail endeavoured to create, and asUHivd the House that everything had been done to produce more aeroplanes, guns and pilots to meet the grave menace.

I’he Hon. Herbert Samuel said that the restriction of the lighting order would he practically applied, to the whole of England. A system of warning was nearly complete and tbo

] Government had also given greater ■ liberty to; the press in reporting the I actual circumstances of raids. The whole world would know the truth ' about these murderous outrages, r Mi- Balfour said that the progress 1 of the flying force had been prodigiI ous. Everybody knew that we were I still behindhand, but orders had been | given "wherever' possible. The manuj tacturing possibilities of Brtain, the | Allies, and America had been used to th© utmost. It was not yet supplyI ing full orders. Everyon© desired aggressive action, especially the Government, but this required powerful machines, which were difficult to obtain quickly. Every nerv© had been strained to the utmost to get the necessary guns for air defence. It was utterly misleading to say that the Government had shown any neglect. Improvementss would goon He was sorry that Britain had not developed the right kind of lighter than air ship, not so much for aggression or defence as for maritime and other kinds of scouting. The Germans had advantage in this matter which we were doing our best to remove. Th© Admiralty bad considered the possibility of Zeppelins partaking in a naval action. Mr Bona l ' Law, as a member of the War Council with special sources of information, sad that he had made -enquiries, and was stirprised that there were no greater defects in our air service, smee we were so unprepared for the kind of struggle we wet© now engaged in. The greatest need was engines. He had recently visited Paris, and had taken the opportunity to find out the position of the French service. He had come to the conclusion that the British service at the front was as good, if not better, than any combatant. Air Joy son-Hicks withdrew his amendment.

SENSATIONS IN AMEBIC \

MOR E INCEN DIA RISM

Ottawa. Last Night. The American Club Buildings at Toronto were destroyed by an explosion and fire. The club was largely used to recruit Americans to serve in the Canadian forces. One man was killed, and two were injured. New York, Last Night.

The steamships, Bolton Castle and Pacific, were destroyed by a disastrous fire. Two deaths occurred. Th© pier was burnt. Incendiarism is suspected, as the steamers were, loading munitions for Vladivostock.

A SUCCESSFUL RAID

Solonika, Last Night

Thirteen French aeroplanes raided the town and camp of Strumnitza und dropped 158 producing several fires. The aeroplanes were violently bombarded, hut returned untouched.

ADVANCING IN ALBANIA

Rome, Last Night. Th© Austrians southwards of Ales,io, advancing towards Durazzo. junctionod with the Bulgarians at Elbassan. Sharp fighting with Essrul Pash’s force has begun.