AIR ARM AM ENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 19118, 1 December 1933, Page 5

AIR ARM AM ENTS.

yiTAL TO BRITAIN. PURELY DEFENSIVE ASPECT. NO SABRE RATTLING. (Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Nov. 29. In the House of Lords to-day the Duke of Sutherland asked whether the Government proposed to increase the air strength owing to the existing international situation: It was undesirable to rattle the sabre, but the question must be considered purely from a defensive aspect. “Destroy London and you destroy England, for you destroy the heart and brain of your country,’’ said the Duke. “Destroy Paris and France still lives. Destroy Berlin and Germany still lives. The Great Continental countries do not depend on their capitals for their existence, but England depends upon London for her very life-blood. “Other nations have not followed our disarmament example,” said the Duke. “An adequate defence force would be enabled to stave off attackers on London. I hope the present activities will obviate the possibility of any country delivering a knock-out.” Viscount Cecil said the real case for disarmament was based on the fact that one or two air attacks in the future would practically settle the whole course of a war. No other country was so exposed to air attack as Britain. She would be crippled within 48 hours. The people demanded that everything should be done to abolish this dangerous air weapon. The debate was then adjourned. Views in the Commons. In the House of Commons, RearAdmiral M. F. Sueter (Conservative — Hertford) moved that the attention of the Government be drawn to the inadequacy of the present provision for the air defence of Britain and the Empire. He declared: “We have reduced our air strength, but our gesture has not been followed by the rest of the world." Wing-Commander A. W. H. James (Conservative • —Wellingborough, Northampton) moved an amendment affirming the House’s full support of the Government’s air policy. Mr. Baldwin said: “Britain cannot stand alone in her present position in regard to defence whether on air, sea or land, and that ought to be made perfectly clear both in Britain and abroad." He laid stress on the difficulties of the position and said If it were announced to increase her air armaments —a right which was denied to Germany—how could the latter believe In Britain’s good faith? The Government valued the support of the House in its pursuit of disarmament and its attempts to save the convention. He hoped the amendment would be supported. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. George Lansbury, contended that Lord Londonderry’s statement should have been made in the House of Commons. Mr. Baldwin had not told the House what the Minister’s policy was. Labour, as a protest, must therefore vote against the Government. Wing-Commander James’ amendment was carried by 151 votes to 31, and then as the substantive motion by 139 to 30. Fighting ’Planes Ordered. The Daily Express says the Air Ministry has ordered 14 fighting aeroplanes, each to carry a torpedo weighing three-quarters of a ton. They are being constructed on the Humber and will be stationed on the coast to cooperate with the Navy. The function of the new machines will be to attack battleships. They will dive from a great height at speeds ol' more than 200 miles an hour. They will launch their torpedoes and will rise again like rockets and soar beyond the reach of anti-aircraft guns when relieved of the weight of the torpedo. Some writers deduce from Lord Londonerry’s speech that Britain will increase her air fleet ultimately by 800 machines unless France reduces hers. The Minister gave France 1650 aeroplanes compared with Britain’s 850 and indicated that Britain would build up to the strength of the highest Power. The Daily Telegraph says there is an end at last to the policy of onesided aerial disarmament that has re* duced Britain to a state of helplessness she has never known before.