KITCHENER'S SCHEME.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 41, 17 February 1910, Page 5

KITCHENER'S SCHEME.

OF AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE. A SELF-DEPENDENT FORCE. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright) ■ SYDNEY, February 16. Speaking at Maitland, Mr. Deakin said the Government had received from Lord Kitchener a scheme, in consonance with the Defence Act., which would be found to throw their present scheme into new shape, and to make it more practically effective in its parts and altogether. They could scarcely have accomplished the work of arranging plans for complete defence without the advice of the man who had already made two or three armies for service on behalf of the Empire. The scheme would be put into operation at once. Preliminary arrangements and appointments were already being made. It was a scheme, said Mr. Deakin, not only for raising men and organising them, but also for arming them, and making themselves self-dependent in the matter of ammunition, small arms, and cordite. The scheme would enable Australia to defend herself, and assist the Mother Country to stand against the world. DETAILS OF THE SCHEME. GREAT INCREASE IN COST. (Received 9.45 a.m.) MELBOURNE, this day. The main portion of Lord Kitchener's report will be available for publication in a few days. There will be a confidential report as well as the published document, embodying advice on the question of organisation. It is understood that the carrying out of the recommendations will involve a great increase in the Military Estimates, and some sweeping changes in personnel. While the scheme fits into the new Defences Act as far as the main principles are concerned some important amendments have been made to give full effect to it. The scheme proposes to abolish the military districts, and to regroup the militia and compulsorlly trained levies, after a plan having special regard to strategical considerations. It supports, in expanded form, the Government's schemes for the establishment of small arms and cordite factories and military colleges, and is said to favour the acquisition of the Colonial Ammunition Company's works, or otherwise the complete Governmental management of cartridge making. It proposes an increase in ammunition reserves in all parts of the Commonwealth, and the creation in the centres of a given number of self-depen-dent, fully equipped army corps, capable of movement at any moment' to any danger point. It recommends the fortification of several independent coastal points, and the close association of the railway systems with the defence organisation, and advocates the early construction of the Transcontinental railway. FOR USE, NOT ORNAMENT. EFFICIENCY IN DEFENCE. (Received 10.30 ami.) SYDNEY, this day. Speaking at Inverell, Mr. Deakin declared that Lord Kitchener's scheme studied economy without sacrificing efficiency. Putting aside all the decorative effect of militarism it was framed for the purposes of those desiring to defend their hearthstones and those dear to them. Mr. Deakin referred to the necessity for more people, and while favouring immigration proposals emphasised what the country wanted was more of its own people, more Australians. Surely it was possible for Australia to devise a policy by which, instead of a child being regarded as an encumbrance, it would be welcomed as a valuable asset. Touching on the Northern Territory, he said that unless it was speedily peopled they would have to see to its defence by the establishing of military barracks.