SURVEY OF BRITAIN’S DEFENCE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXL, Issue 20261, 9 November 1935, Page 12

SURVEY OF BRITAIN’S DEFENCE

IMPORTANCE OF SEA POWER KEEPING OPEN EMPIRE COMMUNICATIONS Major-General H. Rowan Robinson was born in 1873, and since he entered on his course ol military studies at the age of 19 has been continuously in the closest touch with Army matters. His record of active service extends over half the world. In his new book “Security—a Study of Our Military Position” (Methuen), he sets down deliberately and moderately his criticisms of the existing state of affairs at the War Office, the Admiralty and the Air Ministry in Britain, and makes a number of thought-provoking suggestions for reform. The author is, of course, no pacifist; he is an Army man, and believes in preparedness for war. To do him justice, he genuinely desires permanent peace, but he believes that this cannot be ensured except by a strong Britain prepared to defend herself. Changes in Administration The general is an ardent advocate of the establishment of a Ministry of Defence, and his criticisms of the three headed control now existing are scathing and pertinent. The jealousy between the three fighting forces is a Rational danger, says the author. The operations at the Dardanelles in the Great War provided the classical example: Three first-class men, each independently equal to the effective control of the expedition, pulled ceaselessly against one another. Fisher wanted combined operations; Kitchener refused troops; Churchill and Fisher undertook the operations without them. Then Kitchener gave way and dispatched troops, and then, when Keyes thought victory was in sight, Fisher refused to allow the Navy to force the straits. Into the merits of the particular controversy It Is not proposed to enter; but had, say, Churchill been Minister of Defence at the outset, there can be no serious doubt that the operations would have been a brilliant success. It is often argued, says MajorGeneral Robinson, that no man could do the work involved by the creation of a Ministry of Defence. His answer is that it is only a question of leaving enough of the detail and routine to staff officers and concentrating the attention of the Minister on questions of policy of cardinal importance. Major Reforms The other three major reforms which Major-General Robinson proposes are a considerable increase in the Air Force, the thorough mechanisation of the Army, and a redistribution of the disposition of the Fleet. Future wars, he says, are to be decided in the air, and he'does not take this as an axiom, but works out his conclusion logically and convincingly. Britain’s most effective contribution to a Continental war, he cohtends, Would be a large air fleet based at home, and a small but very highly mechanised force of tanks and artillery for land on the Continent. Unusual Advice As to the Fleet, the author somewhat unexpectedly argues that the battle-squadron should be withdrawn from the Mediterranean altogether. (The book was written before the Abyssinian crisis came to a head.) Concentration in the Mediterranean of a large portion of our Fleet (i.e., in normal times) can, he says, serve no good purpose. In war, unless Franee and Italy are neutral or friendly, their submarine strength makes the maintenance of British communications through the Mediterranean impossible. In peace time our naval strength there seriously anndys both France and Italy. A French naval authority is quoted as saying that “the most urgent military problem of France is that of keeping intact her communications With North Africa in the face Of British naval superiority.” Our presence in the Mediterranean, concludes the author, “is thus a continual source of friction, and may result in the foolish spectacle of two great and friendly nations drifting into mutual hostility because in a particular sea they want free transit—the orte north and south, the other east and west.” To which it might be replied that British * naval forces in the Mediterranean are not maintained to aHnoy any Mediterranean Power, but to protect interests Which are at least as important to Britain as any interests protected by the French and Italian fleets are to them. Major-General Robinson concludes with a chapter on “National Mobilisation,” and there is a useful index appended to the volume. This book should find a place on the shelves of all interested in naval and military strategy.

In the last few years there has been a tremendous awakening in matters relating to the drama. Many cities have several societies concerned in the production of plays by amateurs, and, in addition, there are many small circles which devote evenings to the reading of plays. Drama festivals in various centres have revealed by the size of the audiences the great interest now taken in matters relating to the drama. It is said that in New Zealand apart from the purely private gatherings, there are now nearly 800 groups actively engaged in reading and occasionally performing plays. To facilitate the formation of such groups and make readily available essential information, Mrs SpenCeClark, of Christchurch, Who has long had an active association with play production has written a book, ’Play production for Amateur Drama Groups.’ It will admirably fulfil the purpose for which it is intended, and will be found extremely useful to everyone interested in the subject. The publishers of ‘Play Production for Amateur Drama Groups,’ are National Magazines Limited, Wellington.