DEFENCE OF THE COMMONWEALTH.

Evening Post, Volume LXIII, Issue 97, 24 April 1902, Page 5

DEFENCE OF THE COMMONWEALTH.

GENERAL HUTTON'S SCHEME. LARGE INCREASE OF FORCES PROPOSED. [PBEBS ASSOCIATION.] (Received April 24, 10.20 a.m.) MELBOURNE, This Day. The Federal Minister for Dofeuce (Sir John Forrest has laid on the table of the House General Button's minute dealing with the defence of Australia. The General says that for tho defence of Australian soil a garrison force and a field force are necessary, and for the j defence of Australian interests wherever threatened the first essential . in sea supremacy, guaranteed by tho Koyal Navy, and the second possession of a fiejd force capable of undertaking operations in any part of the -world. Tho existing peace establishment of the Commonwealth consists of 16,470 garrison troops and 14,101 field force. The General proposes upon a war footing to only slightly increase the garrison force, but to increase tho field force to 28,748, with 120 guns. The field force would comprise 13,458 mounted troops, 2706 artillery, .and 15,534 infantry, making the total garrison and field forces 44,218 men. The Federal Commandant favours the development of ritto clubs and cadet corps, the gradual establishment of small arms, ammunition, shell, and cordite factories, and a, gun foundry. He estimates that half a million will be sufficient to com-v, plete the garrison force and to render the field force capable of carrying out its j functions. Finally, he urges the necessity of modern equipment, and the danger of delay in completing a propor i scheme of defence. !