BRITISH AIR ARMAMENT

Southland Times, Issue 23499, 4 May 1938, Page 5

BRITISH AIR ARMAMENT

ALARM FELT BY BANKS

CHARGES OF MUDDLE AND WASTE DEFENCE AGAINST RAIDS NOT COMPLETE (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received May 3, 11.50 p.m.) LONDON, May 3. Bankers and financial circles are alarmed at the lack of progress in air rearmament and are privately discussing action to impress their misgivings upon the Government, states the City editor of The Daily Mail. It is even suggested that a manifesto should be presented, similar to the manifesto in 1931 which called on the Labour Government to retrench expenditure and re-establish credit. It is understood that the bankers’ consideration of a public protest is because of the reluctance of the aircraft industry to speak out because of the possibility of contravening the Official Secrets Act, although there are many allegations of muddle and waste. The News Chronicle in the same way alleges inadequacy and muddle in the anti-air raid preparations, adding that civilians are still virtually defenceless. If war were to break out the Government would be unable to give warning of the approach of air raiders, as the necessary sirens have not been manufactured and air raid shetlers for persons caught in the streets are non-existent. The suggested system of trenches in parks and open spaces is still incomplete on paper and the fire-fighting system is still not ready. Volunteers are lacking. Although France and Germany are enforcing laws that new buildings shall comply with specifications providing protection against fire and bomb splinters, the British Government for three years has watched the building of hundreds of blocks of flats and offices, of which only a fraction contain air raid precautions.