AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 195, 15 May 1922, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE

PRIME MINISTER’S POLICY GREAT REDUCTIONS PROPOSED BY TELEGBAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT. Sydney, May 13. Mr. W. M. Hughes, Federal Primo Minister, announced his defence policy at Mullumbimby. Ho stated that tho Estimates were framed on the basis of providing for a total reduction of £1,750,000 below tho estimated expenditure of 1921. The reduction was made possible by the Washington Conference decisions. Limited defence measures were necessary, hence provision was being made for the manufacture of munitions, but with a reduced output, so that a nucleus of a defence organisation would exist, to be amplified in case of f emergency. The Government intended to use the twelve-inch guns of the Australia for strengthening the coastal defences._ A number of vessels of the Australian fleet would be placed in reserve, and also the submarine flotilla. The personnel of tho submarines would be retained, and distributed among the vessels in commission, so as to be available if necessary. Tho greatest reductions were in the army, Mr. lt was proposed to abolish junior cadet-train-ing, and cadets in future would be trained between the ages of 16 and 18, and would pass thence into the militia, ceasing their service at the age of 20. Everything would be reduced to practically 25 per cent, of the war strength. Compensation would bo paid to soldiers who were retired unless they were absorbed in other Government Departments. The air service would at present be reduced from four squadrons to one, but the civil aviation vote would be increased.—Press Assn.