STRENGTH NEEDED

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 18955, 4 March 1936, Page 6

STRENGTH NEEDED

EMPIRE DEFENCE WHITE PAPER ISSUED MASSING OF RESOURCES EXTENSION OF SERVICES INDUSTRIAL CO - OPERATION (British Official Wirel«ss.) Reed. 1.30 p.m. RUGBY, March 3. The Government's White Paper on defence was published to-day. PaTt ono is mainly historical and part two contains a brief outline of the objectives.

The paper refers to .the overwhelming importance of the navy preserving the sea communications, thus ensuring to the country supplies of sea-borne food and raw materials on which its existence depends. The London Naval Treaty prohibits the building of new capital ships so long as it remains in force, that is, until December 31, 1936, but the process- of replacement cannot be delayed beyond that date.

The paper states that it is urgently necesary that the army formations already existing' should be organised and equipped with the most modern arms and material. Plans have been worked out for 'this purpose. The modernisation of the coast defence at defended ports, at home and abroad, will be proeeded with at an' accelerated rate, and the reorganisation of anti-aircraft defences in the southeast of England will be extended. With a view to covering the important industrial districts in the centre and north of Britain, four new auxiliary Royal Air Force squadrons will bo formed for co-operation with the territorial army. STRATEGIC AIR ROUTES

With such wide Imperial responsibilities, the ability to reinforce any threatened area in sufficient time and strength demands the location of air units at convenient places on strategic air routes. An increase of approximately 12 squadrons for this purpose is proposed. In connection with air raid precautions, a department, of the Home Office has been actively engaged with local authorities, and satisfactory progress has been made.

The White Paper points out that the problem differs materially from the one confronting the country in the Great War. "We have to carry through, in a limited period, measures which will make exceptionally heavy demands upon certain branches of industry, and certain classes of skilled labour, without impeding the course of normal trade," states the paper. "This will require the most careful organisation and willing co-operation, •both of tho leaders of industry and of the Trade Unions."

In order to satisfactorily provide for needs, both in peace and war, the Government decided to create a reserve source of supply which would be available in case of emergency. The method of procedure contemplated is to select, a number of firms who do not normally make warlike stores, but. who are suitable for the purpose by reason of their experience and possession of skilled staffs of engineers and workmen. Arrangements would be made with these firms for laying down the necessary plant and machinery for a given output of selected articles, and sufficient orders in peace time, would be guaranteed to allow the requisite training in the work of production. BAN ON PROFITEERING

The Government is determined that the needs of the nation shall not serve to pile up extravagant profits for those who are called upon to meet them. The Government is confident that industry as a whole has no desire to exploit the situation, und already has received satisfactory assurances from the Federation of British Industries of readiness to collaborate in the control to prevent excessive profits.

The paper recalls the fundamental difference that grew up last summer between the League of Nations and Italy, which, combined with the possibility of League action, led to a campaign of violent and menacing propaganda in Italy largely directed against the United Kingdom as one of the foremost upholders of the League Covenant. The point was reached in August, when the possibility of an incident occurring which might precipitate an extension of the conflict could no longer be disregarded. Although the Government was able to make dispositions which the situation required, it was only possible to safeguard the position in the Mediterranean and the Bed Sea by denuding other areas to an extent which might have involved grave risks. "It is true that an increase in the armed strength of other nations who will co-operate for collective security may increase the power of the League of Nations, but an increase in armed strength may also prove an added power in the hands of a possible, aggressor," continues the paper. "It is essential that the relations of our own armed forces to those of other great Powers should be maintained at a figure high enough to enable us to exercise the influence and authority required for the defence of vital British interests, and the application of collective security." POWER, OF OTHER NATIONS The paper gives details of the recent great growth in armaments in various countries and adds: "Conditions in the international field have deteriorated. We have really no alternative in the present state of the world but to review our defences, and to provide the necessary means both of safe-guarding ourselves against aggression and of playing our part in the enforcement, by common action, of international obligations. The Government will continue to do its utmost to improve international rpiations and to promote agreement for th«Mimitation of armaments."

The proposals for defence outlined in the paper do not betoken any abandonment of the international policy hitherto pursued. The paper examines the armament situation in various countries and the fact that German rearmament is not concealed, but regarding details there is a great deal of secrecy." Tti March, conscription on a basis of one year of service would be re-established and the German Government had announced that the peacetime army establishment would be 36 divisions with a strength of 550.000 men. There had been a continuous development of the Gorman Air Force. Tho ex* pansion of the German Navy was limited to the definite proportion of Britain's naval forces, but, within this limitation, the new German Navy was an addition to world armaments which could not bo left out of account. In France the two-year service was

introduced in the spring of last year. Its air force was being organised and reequipped. The barrier of fortresses on the north-eastern frontier was being extended.

In Belgium the army expenditure showed a heavy increase.

The Italian Army had been on a war footing for six months and in October it was stated- that 1,200,000 men were under arms, while, further recruits had since been called up.