PROGRESS OF BRITISH REARMAMENT

Southland Times, Issue 23677, 28 November 1938, Page 5

PROGRESS OF BRITISH REARMAMENT

BUSINESS MEN TO HELP GOVERNMENT (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, November 25. The names of a panel of business men to act as advisers to the Government in its rearmament programme will be made known within two or three days, according to an announcement made at Manchester by the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence (Sir Thomas Inskip). After expressing satisfaction with the progress of industrial mobilization, Sir Thomas said Britai” was strong and must be stronger. They desired no man’s territory, and if they stood together in the confidence which the strength of British defences justified they would find a happier morning breaking upon them. He insisted there had already been well-directed planning in the whole field of industry and he believed there was no article likely to be required in time of war for which provision had not been made during peace. Sir Thomas announced that a statement would be made in the House of Commons on Friday by Sir John Anderson, the Minister in charge of civilian defence, on some matters which affected local authorities and air raid precautions, and also on the question of proper organization of the available man power. Sir Thomas said he thought they would be agreeably surprised, when the announcement was made, by the fact that more preparations and consultations had taken place than had been supposed. He hoped the Government defence programme would be completed, as originally planned, before the expected date.