GRIM RESOLVE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 98, 28 April 1939, Page 7

GRIM RESOLVE

BRITAIN’E DEFENCE PROGRAMME IMPRESSIVE MESSAGE OF BUDGET [ British Official Wireless. ] RUGBY, April 26. i Sir John Simon's statement in in-j troducing his £1,322,000,000 Budget j with its provision for spending in the i current year £630,000,000 on defencej and imposing additional taxation to! the amount of £24,000,000, has been accepted with resignation and so far has provoked very little party or public controversy. The acceptance of the heavy burden which the Budget involves, gives an I indication of the grim earnestness of Britain in its resolve to keep pace i with the armaments race which is i none of its seeking. Reports from foreign capitals made i it clear that the impressive message !of the Budget is fully appreciated. The Times, commenting on the magnitude of the Budgets figures says: "Everyone is well aware that a higher price than yesterday’s Budge. , exacts may have to be paid in due . course. The country is well prepared | for that if it becomes necessary, for the burdens so far imposed arc not a great price to pay for peace and j security. The higher price will be paid readily and without question j when the need arises." CANADA’S DEFENCE PLANS AIRCRAFT THE FIRST LINE VOTE OF 63,000,000 DOLLARS. I Received April 27, 5.5 p.m. OTTAWA, April 25. Moving a defence vote of 63,000,000 dollars in the House of Commons, Mr. Mackenzie King announced a threevear agreement with Britain to train Royal Air Force pilots in Canada. Negotiations were proceeding lor the purchase of a destroyer from the Admiralty to augment four present destroyers and three minesweepers. I "Canada,'’ he said, "can no longer rely on protection fiom the British I Navy. Paths from which an attack might come must be patrolled ceasei lessly. Aircraft is the first line of defence, then the navy and the army." The Government was still opposed to conscription or any overseas ex- ' peditionary force.