THREE PLEAS FOR DEFENCE

Southland Times, Issue 23024, 19 October 1936, Page 3

THREE PLEAS FOR DEFENCE

BRITISH MINISTERS (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, October 15. Britain’s need for strong defences to preserve peace and to protect her freedom was emphasized in speeches by three Cabinet Ministers—by the Foreign Secretary (Mr R. A. Eden) at Sheffield, by the Secretary of State for War (Major A. Duff Cooper), and by the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence (Sir Thomas Inskip). Major Duff Cooper said that it had been decided to make Britain as strong as, if not stronger than, ever before. The blessings the British people enjoyed could not be maintained unless the people were prepared to defend them. Sir Thomas Inskip, speaking at Watford, said that 10,000 officers and men were needed before the anti-aircraft defence unit for the southern area would be adequately manned. A similar conversion of the territorial battalions and formations was being undertaken for the protection of the Midlands and Northern England. They would be equipped with the latest and most powerful searchlights and anti-aircraft guns. Mr Winston Churchill also spoke on the defence question. The British Navy, he said, was in a high state of efficiency and was capable of coping with any European menace. He wished that he could feel the same sense of security about the Royal Air Force. He would like also to see Britain’s small army and territorial force organized to a far higher pitch than was at present contemplated.