"When I compare the state of our armed forces and our ability to resist attack, as it is today, with what it was only a year ago, I feel we can face the future with calm confidence in our growing strength.
"Our Navy today is the most powerful in the world. Our Army is daily increasing in numbers, efficiency and equipment and, as to the Air Force, I will not give figures, but I can tell you it has expanded during these 12 months at a rate far beyond expectations. In the quality of its personnel and the speed and power of its machines, it is unexcelled by the air force of any other country. m "Nor do I forget the fourth arm that of civil defence—which has made great progress and is now rabidly organizing itself to function smoothly and effectively if any emergency should arise.
"These mighty armaments threaten no one, but they are available today to resist aggression or domination, The agreements we have made, and the guarantees given to other European Powers, have only the same purpose—to strengthen the peace front and to protect the independence of States whose faith in their own security has been shaken by the fate of others.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.