EMPIRE DEFENCES

Southland Times, Issue 19501, 16 March 1925, Page 7

EMPIRE DEFENCES

THE FLAG IN THE AIR. GOVERNMENT PLANS. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright) (Reuter’s Telegrams). LONDON. March 13. In the House of Commons the co-ordina-tion of Empire defences bulked large on the resumption of the debate on the Air Force Estimates. At the conclusion Sir Samuel Hoare (Air Minister) said he hoped during the present year to organise long-distance flights within the Empire—firstly, from Cairo to Capetown, and secondly, from Cairo to Lake Chad. These, he hoped, would be the forerunners of many others to show the flag in the air over the great part of the Empire. Commander Kenworthy (Liberal) drew attention to the absence of provision for air defence at Singapore. Sir Samuel Hoare replied that such expenditure was at present unnecessary, but an item would appear on the Air Estimates in due course as the Singapore programme developed. COMPETITION FOR MONEY. SITUATION OF THE DOMINIONS. LONDON, March 13. Commander Burney, during the Air Force debate, said it was necessary that Britain should have an Imperial stocktaking. The defence of the British Isles was aerial, whereas that of the dominions was naval. Thus there was competition every day for the money available for the defence of the Empire. The latt Government had turned down the Singapore scheme, and more money was voted for home defence. Britain should satisfy the dominions that she was working on some consistent policy.