R. A. BANQUET.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17528, 4 May 1925, Page 7

R. A. BANQUET.

PROGRESS IN THE ARMY, NAVY AND AIR FORCE. MANY NOTABLE MEN SPEAK [ Br Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Australian and X.Z. Cable Association. (Received May 4. 11.15 a.m.) LONDON. May 3. All spheres of public activity were prominently represented at the annual Roval Academy banquet at Burling- | ton House, which was presided over hv Sir Frank Dicksee. flanked by the Duke of York and surrounded by High Commissioners and the Diplomatic C-srps. The Earl of Cavan, replying tor the Army, said that he anticipated the time when selected officers would be enabled t.» make tours of the Empire. lie announced that Marshal Retain and «peneral Debeney, Chief of Staff in France, had accepted invitations to attend the next manoeuvres. Sir Samuel IToare. Secretary of State for War, replying for the Air Force, described the 3500-mile air tour in the Near East and Middle East, from which he. with Mr L. C. M. S. Amery. Secretary* of State for the Colonies, had. returned to London the previous night. He said that the trip, which had been carried out in the Easter recess, would otherwise have taken a year. The Right lion W. C. Bridgeman, responding for the Imperial Forces, dwelt on Britain's pacific intention and the absence of warlike clouds on the horizon, but he said that Britain would permanently maintain a one-power standard and keep abreast of the times regarding replacements. He expressed his preparedness to consider any proposition for the further limitation of armaments and pointed out that of 3-45 ships laid down by the five great Powers since the war, Britain was responsible for only eleven.