The Dominion. SATURDAY. OCTOBER 14, 1653 STRENGTHENING OUR DEFENCES

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 17, 14 October 1933, Page 6

The Dominion. SATURDAY. OCTOBER 14, 1653 STRENGTHENING OUR DEFENCES

The Prime Minister’s statement on the subject ot esting and most tintely I" mediate o«?„in/o„r present condition they are quite inadequate. The proposals will involve a s “ bst ’'® a "“T'nT" for economy 'mX's nuts, have had special TMS MrXhesZ"hat the proposals were decided him and the Australian representative Mr S. M. Br ce eppn in the recent announcement that the Austialia , . about Jo Overhaul its defence system very thoroughly, and m today’s statement by Mr. Forbes. ' The reason for these discussions and the resultant' in all probability in Britain s concern, shared by Anstra .a to drift—the possibility of an international disarmament agreemen a y e e n^ t ° s n pecial attention is to be given to aircraft This arm of our defence system has been more or less neglected. 11k addition now contemplated of .two flights for thei Air for coastal reconnaissance, with the improvement of ant -a .iciaJt defences, is evidence of the Government’s intention to treat this increasingly important branch more seriously.. The Prime Minister states that the opinion of authorities .of the various arms of the service at Home has been obtained on the question as to how we can best use our own resources to ensure our defence, and to assist in the defence of the Empire. In these questions we are logically in liaison with Australia, and, as Mr. Foibes points out th . relationship for mutual protection, as well as for assisting in the defence of the Empire, must be strengthened. The recent combined exercises of the Australian and Niew Zealand cruisers is an illustration in point. A regular exchange of personnel, as now proposed, should further assist in developing an effective liaison. In the advent of an emergency there should be complete co-operation between the two countries, and that can only be ensured by careful preparation beforehand. Beyond the statement that our present cruisers are to be replaced by more modern vessels there is no information as to the provision to be made for dealing with a naval attack in strength. That, of course, is a matter for the Admiralty.' Our own immediate concern is our coast defences. In these as well as inland, aircraft must play an important part in th.e future. From that point of view the Government is acting wisely in adopting a more progressive policy in regard to the organisation of the Air Force.