A Greater Task.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 99, 27 March 1922, Page 5

A Greater Task.

FUTURE DEFENCE OF EMPIRE. ROYAL, AIR FORCE. Press Association—Copyright (Published » n the Times.) (Received 9.5 a.m.) London, March 25. Brigadier-General Groves, air export, concluding a series of special articles in The Times, submits that the aims of the /British air policy should be—(1) To build as rapidly and economically as possible a striking air force for home defence, lest the heart of the Empire be open to al sudden arid direct attack from the air; (2) To provide an army and navy with specialised air forces, with essential efficiency;

(3) To create a royal air force organisation to carry out the duties at present performed by the army and navy;

(4) To maintain and develop the aircraft industry.

Civil aviation, he said, had suffered in the past because it had not been definitely aUd clearly identified with national defend?. State grants were the only possible method of creating defensive air fleets or exploiting and utilising civil aviation, of which the bulk of the material and personnel should he promptly available at the outbreak of war.

“We are faced with an intensive growth of air power throughout the Continent and the world, and are not creating adequate means to meet that force. Four centuries ago. great sea captains laid the foundation of our sea power, and gave England peace and security. Wo no longer may look to sea power to protect us. We stand upon the threshold of a new age. To us is given a greater task of building up a mightier force to safeguard the future of the Empire.’’