WELSH PROTEST

Southland Times, Issue 22998, 18 September 1936, Page 7

WELSH PROTEST

ERECTION OF AIR FORCE TRAINING CAMP “VIOLATION OF RIGHTS” (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) London, September 16. The erection of Royal Air Force training camp at Pennrhos was cited as an immoral violation of the rights of the Welsh nation when Professor Lewis, the Rev. Lewis Valentine and D. J. Williams, a school-teacher, who are prominent Welsh Nationalists, were committed for trial on charges of malicious damage and also with maliciously setting fire to buildings, the property of his Majesty. Evidence was given that two of the men overcame the night watchman and released him after the fire was alight. The three accused arrived at the Pwllheli police station an hour later and handed in a joint letter acknowledging their responsibility and emphasizing the futility of efforts throughout Wales to dissuade the Government from erecting an institution endangering Welsh culture and tradition.

26 New Squadrons

EXPANSION OF ROYAL AIR FORCE (British Official Wireless.) Sydney, September 16. Twenty-six ne- squadrons, 23 in regular service, and three auxiliary, have now been added to the strength of the Royal Air Force. Three of these have been formed during the past month. Forty-five more units must be added to bring the strength of the Metropolitan Air Force to 123 squadrons. A further extension to 129 squadrons, backed by full war reserves and representing a vast augmentation of the striking power of the service, was outlined in a White Paper on defence published early in March this year. Thirteen special civil flying training schools, where initial tuition for young pilots is given, have been created. Men have been joining the senrice in satisfactory numbers and quality and between April 1935, and the end of March this year, the Air Force took on 940 pilots and large numbers of airmen have joined.