BRITISH REVIEW OF DEFENCE

Southland Times, Issue 23782, 1 April 1939, Page 7

BRITISH REVIEW OF DEFENCE

EVERY ASPECT TO BE STUDIED APPROVAL OF EXPANSION OF TERRITORIALS (United Press Assn. —Telegraph Copyright) (Received March 31, 5.5 p.m.) RUGBY, March 30. As part of the re-examination of every aspect of national life in relation to the needs of national defence, the necessity of which was proclaimed by the Prime Minister (Mr Neville Chamberlain) in his Birmingham speech, the Committee of Imperial Defence has instituted a special review of defence arrangements, in which every aspect of the present situation is being studied.

Giving this assurance in the House of Commons, Mr Chamberlain added that he anticipated that statements would be made from time to time in the House of Commons as conclusions were reached in the same way as yesterday he announced at once the Government’s decision to double the Territorial Field Force. There will be a debate in the House of Commons on the international situation on Monday. It is generally assumed that Mr Chamberlain hopes to be in a position to make a statement then on the consultations which have been, proceeding with the other governments on the issues arising from recent events. They were, it is also supposed, under a re-examination at this morning’s special meeting of Cabinet, which lasted two hours and a-quarter. In consequence of the unexpected summoning of Cabinet, Mr Chamberlain was unable to fulfil his engagement to address the annual meeting of the Central Council of the National Union of Conservative and Unionist Associations.

The British Press expresses approval of the expansion of the territorial force. The Daily Mail says that the news will be received with relief as well as with approval. It emphasizes that the response to the recruiting appeal will be the decisive test of the voluntary principle. Some newspapers are disappointed that the Government has not gone further.

The Daily Mail regrets its adhesion to the voluntary principle. “The majority of the country would have ranged itself behind the Government it it had boldly followed the Australian lead for a compulsory national register,” it says. A poster campaign reminiscent of the days of the Great War has already started in London. The slogans read: "Civil defence is the business of ths citizen!” and “We’ve got to be prepared!” PERMANENT PACIFIC DEFENCE BOARD MR CHAMBERLAIN ASKED ABOUT DISCUSSION (Received March 31, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 30. In the House of Commons, replying to Mr Hamilton Kerr (Labour) the Prime Minister (Mr Neville Chamberlain) said he was unable to say whether the creation of a permanent Pacific Defence Board would be discussed at the conference in New Zealand.