Poverty Bay Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING GISBORNE, FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 1934. BRITISH AIR FORCE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18466, 3 August 1934, Page 6

Poverty Bay Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING GISBORNE, FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 1934. BRITISH AIR FORCE

This week’s discussion in the House of Commons must have completely removed any misconceptions a.s to the implications contained in the decision of the Government substantially to increase the strength of the Koval Air Force. In a statement which was commendable for its completeness and emphasis, Hr. Baldwin made it clear that no course other than that adopted was consistent with the safety of the country, or, for that matter, with the preservation of pence in Europe. No one can accuse Britain of not having made a reasonable contribution towards the cause of disarmament in every sphere, but were she to continue her policy of inaction in the face of the existing uncertainty—and, more important, the uncertainty of tlie future—she would undoubtedly lay herself open to a charge of inadequately protecting her own interests, and even of inviting grave world unrest. Mr, Churchill aptly explained the situation when he asserted that British weakness involved the stability of Europe, and if this statement is considered in conjunction with Mr. Baldwin's analysis of the situation it is easy to comprehend the motives actuating the Government. Mr. Baldwin referred to the sense of uneasiness that had been experienced and pointed to the growing spirit of unrest as a reason for preparing for possible eventualities, which, he rightly said, would be proportionately more difficult to deal with in accordance with the delay that occurred in adopting the necessary precautionary measures. Accompanying this ill-feeling among certain of the Continental Powers is a steady move towards Increasing armaments, instead of reducing them. The possibility of the Disarmament; Conference achieving any material measure of success is becoming more and more remote, and the prospects for next year’s Naval Conference cannot, at the present juncture, be regarded with optimism. The outlook is not encouraging, and it is certain that the ,ono tiling most likely to prevent an outbreak among some of. the most bellicose nations- is a knowledge that stronger Powers are prepared to use their forces for the preservation of the peace. That is Britain’s responsibility, not' only to •herself, but to the rest of the world; she must be in a position, as she always has been in the past, to utilise her strength as a deterrent factor. Her policy of unilateral disarmament, however justified it may have been hitherto, has rendered her, if not impotent, at least sufficiently weakened to be unablo to exert the influence which she should weild. Recognition of this fact prompted the decision to increase the Air Force. The few critics of the policy have misrepresented the reason for it and its extent,, and, since none has put forward any practical alternative, it is to be assumed that they would be willing to leave the country with no greater protection than the goodwill of her neighbors. The Air Force programme cannot be viewed as an extravagant one. It is true that it is Intended to provide an additional 41 air squadrons, which involves increasing the number of machines from 844 to 1304, but to accurately assess the meauing of the proposals it is necessary -to consider them more fully. In the first place, it must be remembered that much of the so-called increase in strength does no more than compensate for the accumulated deficiency of the past few years, as a result of which Britain’s Air Force ranked as only fifth among the Powers. It is not intended, moreover, to take panic measures, and the programme that- has been mapped out has been spread over five years. Even then it is not inflexible, as Mr. Baldwin was careful to point out, but can be decelerated if conditions become more settled or if an agreement is reached at Geneva. If the programme is finally completed, however, Britain will not have attained parity in the air, and this fact alone disposes of any argument that the new policy marks the inauguration of an armaments race. Britain has imperilled her very existence in an endeavor to persuade other countries to follow her example, and that, method having failed she is left no alternative except to follow the lead set by others. None of the speakers for tlie Government, in the House of Commons was unduly pessimistic regarding the future, but sufficient was said to enable the nation to judge of the possible serious consequences of continued inaction. Mr. Baldwin, it is true, dealt mainly in generalities, but he was convincing, nevertheless-, and his reference to old frontiers having disappeared with the advent of the aeroplane should bring home to the people the dangers which would attend any outbreak of hostilities. .Sir John Simon .was more Specific in his reference to Germany’s great development of civil aviation, and his statement that the Government could not disclose all. thq information in its possession leaves much room for conjecture. However much it may bo regretted that Great Britain should deem it

necessary to spend a large sum on this branch of her defence services, there arc few who will not agree that a revision of policy was overdue, and that the steps that are contemplated are no more than in keeping with actual requirements for the adequate protection of the country.