“EMPIRE’S PERIL”

Taranaki Daily News, 9 February 1934, Page 7

“EMPIRE’S PERIL”

WEAKENING OF THE NAVY POLITICIANS EXPRESS FEAR LAST ARMAMENT ATTEMPT CURSE OF WAR FROM AIR DEBATE IN THE COMMONS By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. Rec. 10. p.m. London, Feb. 7. Mr. R. G. Clarry (Con.) moved in the House of Commons a protest that the disparity of Britain’s armaments imperilled the security and independence of the British Commonwealth of Nations and endangered the peace of the world. He complained specially of British naval and air force weakness. Mr. J. Cunningham Reid (Con.)~ said London strategically was the worst situated capital in Europe. Enemy planes with poison gas and disease bombs could cause such chaos as to force Britain into acceptance of peace terms. Mr; Winston Churchill said that years ago the British Navy was a sure shield, but now “this cursed, hellish invention of war from the air has revolutionised the position.” The Government should immediately reorganise civil factories for war purposes as other European countries had done. Regarding the navy, Britain should regain freedom of design and get rid of the crippling London treaty. Mr. Stanley Baldwin welcomed the debate. “We are making a last attempt to obtain the ordered limitation of armaments and trying to avoid the dreadful alternative,” he said. “If we fail the Government will regard it as a duty to look after the interests of Britain first and quickly.” Sir Herbert Samuel (Liberal) protested strongly against Mr. Churchill’s suggestion of tearing up the London Naval Treaty. Mr. Clarry’s motion was talked out.