ARMED STRENGTH OF AUSTRALIA

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23088, 2 August 1940, Page 9

ARMED STRENGTH OF AUSTRALIA

COUNTRY NEVER SO WELL DEFENDED

MELBOURNE, August 1

An official statement issued by the Commonwealth Government yesterday deals with the effective manner . m which Australia’s defence Inundation has been laid, the statement says that the defences were never so strou=. enabling the nation to become selfreliant, - . The cost of the war programme for the four-year period of 1938-39 to June, 1942, will be £454.000,000. The total enlistments in the three fighting services for the 11 months of the war to June 30 were 121,000. The number of persons at present engaged in producing munitions is 15,200. The output of munilioiis by tlie end of the present year Will be eight limes greater than in April, 1939. By the end of next June there wilt.be 150.000 employed in the Australian armament industry. • Naval expansion has also been very substantial as, in addition to ships of the Australian Navy, tive vessels have been converted to merchant cruisers, and 30 as war auxiliary vessels, while more than 150 merchant ships have beeh defensively equipped. Ten destroyers and patrol vessels are at present under construction in Australian shipyards. The statement also refers to the splendid headway Ih the buildlhg of aircraft, for which £8,000,00 is earmarked. Since the outbreak of war 60,000 militiamen have received one month's training, 75,000 three months, and 64.000 four months.

INVITATION TO AMERICANS

ENLISTING IN BRITISH FORCES

WASHINGTON, July 31

Th British Embassy has Invited pilots, other than British subjects of military age, in the United States, who have certain technical qualifications to volunteer for service With the British Army. It is stated that there is no lack of liianpower in Britain and no question at present of any general call to Britons here, but pilots, wireless operators, engineers, skilled tradesmen and electricians, etc., will be welcomed now.

Professor Arthur Newell, American political observer, said that the numbers.of Americans volunteering for the Royal Air Force would amaze Britain.

Mr Chamberlain’s Health—Mr Chamberlain is reported to be progressing satisfactorily after his operation. No further bulletins will be July 31. Japanese Bombing Raids.*— The Japanese bombed Chungking, Tungliang, and Peipel. Many are believed to have been killed at Peipei.— Chungking, July 31.