HUGE SUM FOR AIR FORCE

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20475, 29 November 1934, Page 9

HUGE SUM FOR AIR FORCE

French Chamber Passes Budget. PARIS, November 28. The Prime Minister (M. Pierre Flandjn) broadcast an important speech announcing what was tantamount to a French version of the American National Recovery Act and appealing to the nation to rally round its chiefs as Great Britain had rallied round the National Government and America round President Roosevelt. M. Flandin declared that production must be adapted to consumption and deflation must be terminated. Until world prices tended to reach French level, it would be possible to nurse Franee through the crisis by legislation compelling producers to combine in order to regularise production. A great colonial plan would probably emerge from an Imperial conference, which would be meeting shortly, and better commercial credits would be extended to the retail trade. The Chamber of Deputies voted without a division £40,000,000 for the Air Force. General Denain, Minister of Air, hinted that France was taking precautions against air bombing. He described provisions for spreading the manufacture of aeroplane motors throughout the country. Youthful pilots, ready to risk all, were wanted, he said, as hundreds of tired officers had been pensioned oft. The unification of the military, naval and air forces had given excellent results. M. Francois Pietri (Minister of Marine) declared that the French navy must be strong. It would soon be equipped with the best heavy seaplanes and other machines. The past ten years’ efforts to construct the fleet must be maintained. The naval estimates were approved.