UNPREPARED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 103, 4 May 1938, Page 7

UNPREPARED

I BRITAIN AND WAR CITY CIRCLES ALARMED I LACK OF PROGRES IN AIR REARMAMENT i CIVILIANS DEFENCELESS [By Telegraph - Press Association—Copyright) Received May 3, 11.50 p.m. LONDON, May 3. The City editor of the Daily Mail says that bankers and finan- ; < ial circles are alarmed at the lack of progress in air rearmament and are privately discussing action to impress their misgivings upon the Government. It is even suggested that a manifesto should be presented, similar to the manifesto in 1931 which called on the Labour Government to retrench expenditure and re-estab-lish credit. It is understood that the bankers’ consideration of a public protest is due to the aircraft industry's reluctance to speak out owing to the possibility of contravening the Official Secrets Act, although there are many allegations of muddle and waste. The News-Chronicle, in the same way, alleges inadequacy and muddle in anti-air preparations, adding that “Civilians are still virtually defenceless. If war were to break out the Government would be unable to give a warning of the approach of air raiders as the necessary sirens have not been manufactured and air-raid shelters for the public caug.it in the streets are non-existent. The suggested system of trenches in parks and open spaces is still incomplete on paper, and the fire-fighting system is still not ready, volunteers being lacking. Although France and Gor[many are enforcing laws that new (buildings shall comply with specifications providing for protection against Hire and bomb splinters, the British ■ Government for three years has watched the building of hundreds of | blocks, flats and offices, of which only ia fraction contain air-raid precautions.