The Daily News FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 1935. BRITAIN’S AIR ESTIMATE.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 March 1935, Page 4

The Daily News

FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 1935. BRITAIN’S AIR ESTIMATE.

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The first defence expenditure to be proposed since the rearmament of Germany was announced, the air estimates of Great Britain, and the manner in which they would be introduced were of more than ordinary interest. The Minister in charge of the estimates, Sir Phillip Sassoon, made no direct reference to Germany, though his discretion was ignored by Mr. Winston Churchill, who referred to the danger of the war being “resumed,” which was thought to have ended in 1918. Sir Phillip’s statement of Great Britain’s attitude was calm and reasoned. There is to be a speeding up of her air force programme unless and until other nations show a real willingness to reduce their air forces. Britain has deliberately reduced her air force in the hope of furthering the cause of disarmament, but now proposes to strengthen her own defences first for safety’s sake, and also in, order that her contribution to the collective forces against warfare can be backed with strength if such became necessary. The Air Minister’s speech was, in substance, almost a replica of those of his leader, Mr. Stanley Baldwin, in regard to Britain’s future defence expenditure. The statement contained nothing that was unexpected either in policy or programme, and the criticism it received was, as might have been expected, from extremists of the pacifist and Conservative parties. The details given by Sir Phillip Sassoon of the position in regard to aviation generally was of considerable interest. •In civil and military aircraft Great Britain has, he said, little to fear from the advancement made by other nations. In designs and construction of aeroplanes and of aeroplane engines Britain is a recognised leader, and in civil aviation air services are expanding with a rapidity only steadied by financial responsibilities and the need for the construction of a type of commercial aircraft which apparently -is to do for the air trunk lines what the tramp steamer does for shipping. So far as military aviation is concerned the Minister was reassuring. It was true, he said, that in first line machines Britain had fallen behind other nations. But she had the designers, the material, the factories and a trained personnel that would enable her, if need arose, to increase considerably, and at short notice, first line fighting machines. Meanwhile the Air Force was by no means inadequate for defence purposes, and the increases proposed would bring Great Britain into the front rank of great Powers once more. Sir Phillip’s speech is much more likely to win approval throughout the Empire than the views of either class of his critics. To recognise actualities does not imply magnifying them, and for that reason Dominion support for the views of Mr. Churchill and other “diehards” is not likely to be very wide. For land or sea or air, Britain has informed the world, resources are available for much increased defence equipment. If other nations make such increase necessary for the Empire’s safety it will be made regardless of its cost. There has been nc bluster or threat in the statements of British Ministers, and they have been the more effective because of their restraint, Nor have they in any way rendered it more difficult for othei nations to join Great Britain ir maintaining the peace of ths world, and lessen the economic strain large expenditure upon armaments must entail.