• Britain’s Air Arm

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19313, 20 July 1934, Page 6

• Britain’s Air Arm

CONSTRUCTION POLICY.

OUTLINED BY MR BALDWIN.

AN IMPORTANT STATEMENT,

(Official Wireless.)

(Receved July 20, 2.30 p.m.) RUGBY, July 19

The Government’s air policy was the subject of an Important statement In the House of Commons by iVIr Stanley Baldwin, actlng-Prlme Minister, to-day.

“ Since the war,” Mr Baldwin said, “ successive Britisli Governments in this country had actively pursued a policy of international disarmament. In their efforts to further this policy they had reduced their own armaments to a dangerously low level in the hope that others would follow their lead, but the disarmament negotiations had been drawn out longer- than anyone expected. The preparatory commission lasted from 1926 to December, 1930, inclusive. The Disarmament Conference opened in February, 1032, and has pursued its labours ever since. “ During this eight and a-half years misgivings have arisen from time to time at the increasing accumulation ol defilciencics in. their defensive services, particularly in view of the increased expenditure on armaments in many other countries. « The Government's policy remained one of International disarmament, and they had by no means abandoned hope of reaching some limitation. “ Unfortunately, however, they could not count on an early result, and in view of their commitments under the League Covenant and Locarno Treaty, the many symptoms of unrest in Europe and elsewhere, and the failure of other Governments to follow their example by comparable .reductions, they for some time had felt the time had come when the possibility of keeping their armaments at the present low level must be reconsidered. “ In the absence of comparable reduction by other Powers, this ' W as the situation which loaders of all parties had foresen must sooner or later be reached.” “ So far as the Royal Air Force was .concerned It was a case of need far further development, which time and again had been postponed, and in addition there was the need for making good deficiencies. 11 They had come to the conclusion that they could not rely any longer upon measures which would, In tho course of the next few years, bring their air forces to a level more closely approaching that of their nearest neighbours.” Mr Baldwin emphasised that many .factors which had Influenced their decision were still fluctuating and were liable to change; consequently their defensive position would have to bo ■Jeep t constantly under review. • “ They reserved the right to modify or adjust the programme in the light of new factors that might - arise. - . “ Subject to this caveat,” said Mr Baldwin, “ we have decided on a programme covering tho present and fout ensuing- years, under which the Royal Air Force will be increased by 41 new -squadrons, including those already announced In the 1934 programme. Of these, 33 will he allotted to home defence, raising the existing 32 squadrons at home to a total of 75 squadrons. The remaining squadrons are for service with the fleet air arm, or abroad. The rate at which the programme can be carried out within fRe vears must depend upon various considerations, including finance, / which we cannot specify now. We hope, Tftwever, to space out the work as not to make an unmanageable addition to the estimates In any one year.”