VIGOROUS STEPS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 230, 28 September 1936, Page 7

VIGOROUS STEPS.

DEFENCE MEASURES.

ACTIVITY IN AUSTRALIA.

THE WORLD SITUATION.

Australia's vigorous measures for defence were outlined this morning by the Commonwalth Minister of Defence and Air Services, Sir Arclidale Parkhill, who, with his wife, arrived by the Awatea. Though what Sir Archdale disclosed was significant, and though he spoke of uneasiness in view of the world position, he yet said that any suggestion that war was inevitable was unnecessary and should be avoided.

By reason of the depression, and also following the example of Britain. Australia had allowed its defences to deteriorate, he said, but the position was now being remedied as quickly as possible. In 1932 the expenditure on defence had fallen to £3,200,000, whereas this year the sum spent would amount to over £8,000,000. That represented a balanced expenditure on the three arms of defence, land sea and air. This year, he added, was the last of a three years' programme initiated by the Lyons Government in 1933-34. In order to accelerate the improvements, a further three years' programme was being started in the same financial year. That was, the first year of the new plan and the last year, of the old would overlap. "Civil aviation," Sir Archdale continued, "is attached to the Defence Department because of its defence value. It has made extraordinary advances in recent years." He mentioned the inauguration of new air lines and the greatly increased mileage flown, *No Compulsory Training. "Will compulsory military training be reinstated in Australia?" he was asked. No, replied Sir Archdale. The policy of the Government was to employ the militia system by voluntary enlistments. 'That system was adopted in 1931 in the depth of the depression, and consequently little money was spent in carrying it into effect. It was unjust, therefore, to say that the system had failed before it had been given a fair ' trial. Steps were being taken at a cost of £250,000 a year to bring the strength of the militia up to 35,000, which was the peace establishment considered necessary. "The campaign," he added, "has been proceeding for seven or eight weeks, and has every prospect of achieving its object." A satisfaction feature of the campaign was not only that a general interest was being aroused, but also that employers in many instances were giving their employees time to attend camps and parades, and were paying them wages while so engaged. In addition to that, trainees were receiving pay from the Defence Department. He added, too, that the pay for military training had been doubled. Privates now received 8/ a day. He believed in a close liaison for defence purposes between New Zealand and the Commonwealth. There was, in fact, already a fairly close relationship. The Dominion sent students to the Royal Military College, while both countries co-operated in naval manoeuvres. The closer co-operation which could exist between them without impairing the individuality of each, the better it would be for Empire defence. International Situation. Speaking generally of the whole situation, he said that in view of what was taking place abroad no Government could view the position with anything but anxiety and uneasiness. Preparations in Australia, he said, were entirely for the defence of the Commonwealth and for the protection of the people. "I believe that Australia is not very different from other nations which ara re-establishing their defences; this is being done in the interests, of peace and does not connote the imminence of war." He thought that any movement to awaken the psychology that war was inevitable was both inadvisable and unnecessary and should be avoided.