AIR STRENGTH

Wairarapa Age, 10 March 1934, Page 5

AIR STRENGTH

British Estimates Show Small Increase GENERAL DISARMAMENT STILL DESIRED. BUT ATTAINMENT GF PARITY ESSENTIAL. HOME PRODUCTION OF FUEL. RUGBY, March 8. In presenting the Air Estimates to the House of Commons to-day, the Under-Secretary for Air (Sir Philip Sassoon) said: “These estimates in broad outline are the outcome of our desire to pursue disarmament and study economy on the one hand and, on the other, of our reluctant conviction that the policy of postponement cannot be continued. “The resumption of the scheme of 1923 has become inevitable,’’ the Minister continued, “but we do not want at this stage to put forward a pro-' gramme of construction, which might prove to be the starting gun for a race in air armaments. In the interests of world peace the initial measure of advance for which these estimates make provision is being designedly kept within the most modest bounds. ’- The estimates amounted to £17,561,090 net, which was an increase of only £135,009. For this four new squadrons made up of two for Home Defence, one flying boat squadron and the equivalent of a squadron for the Fleet Air Arm were provided, while two Home Defence squadrons, now forming part of one of the experimental establishments would be reconstituted and given a separate entity.

Reviewing the considerations which had guided the Government in framing the estimates, Sir Philip Sassoon said that in the first place the pressing need for economy still persisted; and again the world had reached a critical point of extreme delicacy in the matter of disarmament. He need not enlarge upon the perils and misfortunes which would inevitably follow from an uncontrolled competitive development in the air. They w r ere present in the minds of every member and were terrible to contemplate. Throughout all the discussions on the subject, the British Government had been foremost in advocating' a general disarmament in the air to the lowest level on which international agreement could be secured. They had put forward definite proposals to that end, and had, in fact followed a policy of studious moderation in air armaments for over fifteen years.

Far from accepting these proposals, further yet from following the pxainple other nations had steadily increased the strength of their air arms until they far out-numbered those of Britain. In those circumstances the Government fait it impossible for Britain to contuiue to hold in abeyance the ten-year-old programme of 1923. They could not afford to accept a position of continuing inferiority. They had made it plain that' this country must, so long as air forces existed, have parity in the air, howsoever that parity be attained. That did not mean that the Government had any way abandoned their belief in the advantages of general air disarmament.

They had recently submitted to the principal European air powers a disarmament memorandum which would have the effect of stabilising the leading air forces of the world on a parity basis at a figure which would involve substantial reductions in all the principal air forces, including that of Britain. The Government stood by that memorandum and would use all the arguments and influence they could command to persuade other nations to adopt it or some scheme framed on similar lines.

Reviewing service developments of the past year, Sir Philip Sassoon mentioned that one squadron had been operating upon petrol produced from British coal by the low temperature carbonisation process. The results had been so satisfactory that it had been decided to accept coal petrol as the noroial supply. It was expected that sufficient British-produced fuel would be available in the coming year for seven squadrons.

Dealing with civil aviation he said .Si’kS? entirel Y new project for which ■>£lo,ooo was provided in the Estimates was a weekly service between New York and Bermuda in which Imperial Airways and American interests would co-operate. This might prove the first link in a transatlantic service, though a close study was also being made, in conjunction with the Canadian and Newfoundland Governments; of an alternative direct route via Newfoundland. (British Official Wireless.)

ESTIMATES ATTACKED.

CRITICS ON BOTH SIDES OF HOUSE. BRITAIN NOT AD'EQUATELY DEFENDED. LONDON, March 8. Major Attlee, Deputy Detadex* of the Opposition, following Sir P. Sassfflon, said that, though the D®l fence Estimates had increased by nearly five millions, the air service’s share was the smallest yet. The decision in future wars would be reached in the air. The Government’s greatest mistake, said Major Attlee, was in not wholeheartedly supporting France on the question of internationalising civil aviation and the creation of an international air force. Captain Guest (C.) said that the Estimates were totally inadequate. Germany was re-arming, and clearly intended to annex Austria, While Ireland would be delighted to side with anyone against Britain. Belgium was terrified. France was off her balance, and might bounder a dictatorship within a few weeks. We had no means of aerial defence in Britain. If there was an agreement for France to help us in case of emergency the nation should be told. ( Mr. Winston Churchill (C.) said: “We have reached the turning point in affairs. Our endeavours to procure a measure of disarmament have failed and we must henceforth look to our owi: safety and preserve our freedom

of choice to remain outside a European war, if it should break out.” The four lines of protection whereby’ we might secure immunity from air warfare were: A peaceful foreign policy, a convention regulating air warfare to military and naval objectives; parity in air power and a sound system of home defence. German re-armament had entirely changed the situation. Wo were in a dangerous position. “I dread the day when the means of threatening the heart of the British Empire pass into the hands of the present rulers of Germany. We would be in a serious position, but’ though the time is, perhaps, not far distant, perhaps a year or eighteen we still have time to take the necessary ■ measures to achieve parity. I appeal specially to Mr. Baldwin to guide the nation wisely in its present dangerous situation.” IF ALL EFFORTS FAIL —. MR. BALDWIN ADMITS GRAVE SITUATION. BUT HAS NOT ABANDONED HOPE. (Received Friday, 7.15 p.m.) LONDON, March 8. Mr. Baldwin admitted that they had met in grave circumstances. The past year's changes in Europe had increased difficulties. There was the same anxiety in Germany, France and Italy as in Britain, and the governments of these countries would therefore be criminal if they did not arrange among themselves to limit armaments. He had by no means abandoned hope of a convention, something on the British lines which would give that equality in air strength which he believed was the first requisite to avoid danger. The real danger to peace was a strong air power on the one hand and defencelessness on the other. “But supposing our general convention fails,” he said, “the Government would start next morning to seek a convention limited to the countries of Western Europe to save civilisation. lam not prepared to admit that the situation is hopeless and that within a week or two we shall be forced to come and admit it and demand immediate large sums. But if all our efforts fail and equality bo unobtainable, the Government will see that in air strength Britain shall no longer be inferior to any eountty within striking distance of our shores.” (Cheers.) ARMY ESJTIMATES. PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL FUNDS. LONDO>N, March 8. The Army Estimates are £39,600,000 compared with £37,950,000 in 1933, but still £330,000 below 1931. This year’s additional funds will be devoted to the modernisation of coast and other defences, the continuation of the programme of reorganisation, and upbuilding of suitable reserves of stores, and improvement of barracks. NET SAVING. RESTORATION OF CUTS T.TKF.T.V AND INCOME TAX CONCESSIONS. (Received Friday, 10.55 p.m.) LONDON, March 9. With the publication of the Army Estimates, it is clear that Government expenditure for the coming year will show a saving of £1,261,778, the increase in the Defence Estimates being counteracted by a decrease in the Civil Estimates. The “Daily Telegraph” says it is now believed that Mr. Chamberlain will feel justified in budgeting for a surplus of forty millions. It is fully expected that teachers, policemen, members of the Defence services and others will enjoy the restoration of at least fifty per cent, of the cuts imposed during the crisis of 1931 and income tax concessions are also regarded as certain.