Comment On The Defence Estimates

Wanganui Chronicle, 17 February 1949, Page 5

Comment On The Defence Estimates

LONDON, Feb. 15 (Rec. 6 p.m.— The White Paper on defence says the production programme represents the minimum necessary to cover a year's maintenance requirements after the fullest use of the remaining war stocks, to provide for a build-up or overhaul of some of the more necessary emergency reserves in continuation of the steps authorised in September, 1948, and to allow for “a modest instalment of modernisation,” says “The Times” Parliamentary correspondent. The naval programme provides mainly for maintenance requirements of the active fleet and for reserve fleet refitting. Only token provision is made for new construction. Additional aircraft will be provided and development of new types will be continued.

The bulk of the funds available to the army will be used to meet ordinary maintenance requirements and reserve deficiencies and for overhaul or modernisation of existing equipment. i

The R.A.F. programme continues at an increasing rate the re-equipment of fighter squadrons with the latest type of jet aircraft and provides for gradual replacement of transport and training aircraft by modern British types. "The Times,” in a leader on the:

defence White Paper, says: “Ever since the rearmament programme was announced in September defence has appeared a weak spot in the Government’s policy. The impression has been created, rightly or wrongly, of divided counsel. The Opposition charge is not that defence is being neglected but that the Government has failed to convince that it is using large sums of money and large numbers of men in a way to produce commensurate result in effective defensive power.” “The Times” adds: “The White Paper does not answer the questions Mr. Churchill and other critics will ask. Parliament will welcome the stress placed on equipment, but plainer assurances will be demanded before the critics can be persuaded that even at this price security is in fact being bought." The “Daily Mail’s” political correspondent says the White Paper reveals that Western European countries will have a common radar airraid warning system, based on British ground equipment. The “Mail” adds tljat the Western Union Chief of Staff Committee, under Field Marshal Sir Bernard Montgomery’s chairmanship, worked out this plan. Supplies of radar equipment are being organised and the system will be working in the lear future.