BRITAIN’S DEFENCES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 148, 26 June 1934, Page 5

BRITAIN’S DEFENCES

INCREASES IN VIEW ALL ARMS ARE IMPORTANT BUT AIR FORCE PARAMOUNT DANGER OF PEACE BREAKING (By Telegraph -Press Association—Copyright) Received June 25, 8.30 p.in. LONDON, June 25. The Daily Telegraph says the Government is considering substantial increases in the three defence services. There will be difficulty in deciding how the money available can best be allocated, but necessity follows the failure of an international agreement for the limitation of armaments. Faced by the prospect Ministers who have made an exhaustive survey of world affairs have come to the conclusion that the weakness of Britain constitutes a temptation for a breach of peace,” states the paper. •‘The Admiralty has submitted arguments for substantial increases in cimser and destroyer strength, and also an expansion of the fleet air arm. ft will be for the Minister to make a decision. * ‘Financial considerations render it impracticable for Britain to maintain parity strength with all Powers in all arms’ of the service, but a conception of the British defensive role defines the Air Force as the most valuable defensive force. The Army is required primarily for defence at Home and to provide drafts for overseas garrisons, but an alternative scheme envisages an expenditure on the Army almost equal ko the present cost of the Navy, which is £56,000,000, compared with £39,000,000 for the Army.

BEING DRIVEN TO WAR A JUDGE’S WARNING THAT OXFORD RESOLVE Received June 25, 10.27 p.m. MELBOURNE, June 25. Declaring that there were enormously powerful factors steadily dr.ving tlie world toward war, Mr Justice Foster, addressing students of the Melbourne University to-day. expressed the hope that some day the public of every country would, propound a resolution like Oxford’s “Not to fight for King and Country,’’ and pass it unanimously. He added that the intense nationalism following the last war. together with economic disputes and the interests of powerful firms, was rushing the world to war and the people’s will not to have war at an v cost shouid prevail.