DEFENCE PLANS IN AUSTRALIA.

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25483, 1 May 1948, Page 7

DEFENCE PLANS IN AUSTRALIA.

CONSULTATIONS WITH BRITAIN PROGRESS OF FIVE-YEAR PROGRAMME (Rec. 7 p.m.) CANBERRA, April 30. In a statement in the House of Representatives yesterday on the progress of the five-year defence programme, the Minister of Defence (Mr J. J. Dedman) said that the Australian Government had consulted Britain on the best ways to co-operate in British Commonwealth defence, and Britain had laid down the following principles on the supply of equipment for postwar forces: (1) concentration on research; (2) the limited introduction of the most modern equipment; (3) the maximum use of accumulated stocks and. (4) the maintenance of a reasonable war potential. Mr Dedman added that when tne probable nature of a future war had been decided, there would be a firm basis for the introduction of new weapons and the future of the forces could be determined. The Government’s post-war policy was a secure, balanced defence scheme, embracing the Navy, Army, and Air Force, research- and development of munitions al Mr Sl Dednian said the defence programme was reviewed by' the Council of Defence recently and the council considered that progress was generally satisfactory. The Minister said that arrangements had been made for the British and New Zealand High Commissioners to attend meetings of the Council of Defence when matters affecting their countries were being discussed. The British and New Zealand Governments would maintain in Australia joint service representatives and staffs. Reciprocal arrangements had been made for Australia to be re P r ® ’in British and New Zealand defence discussions.

Spanish General Imprisoned.—Lieu-tenant-General Kindelan, a chief of General Francos air *° r “’ been sentenced to two months detention in the Guadalupe fortress tor expressing Royalist views in a speech to a private gathering.—Madrid, April 30.