THREE-YEAR PLAN

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 71, 25 March 1938, Page 11

THREE-YEAR PLAN

AUSTRALIAN DEFENCES

EXPANSION MOVE

TO COST £43,000,000

$, (United Press Association—By Eleetrtd T!S Teleirrspb—CoDjrleht.) >». CANBERRA, March* 24. ' Outlining the most sensational defence proposals ever brought forward in Australia, the Prime Minister, Mr. J. A. Lyons, tonight said that the Commonwealth had decided on the expenditure of £43,000,000 during the next three years on the maintenance and development of its defence resources. This unprecedented total would comprise £24,800,000 additional new expenditure spread over three years, and £18,200,000. which would v represent normal Budgetary commitments over three years for the main* tenance of the defence forces on the existing basis. Mr. Lyons said that the* vital interests Australia.was called on to. defend were:— First, the free passage of seaborne trade, both coastal and overseas; and secondly, the maintenance of the territorial integrity of the Commonwealth against aggression. NAVAL DEFENCE. The new defence units which' will be. added during the three years are: The purchase from the British Government of two 7000-ton cruisers Of the Sydney type, one to be taken over next September and the other in July, 1939. The construction at Cockatoo dockyard Of two "naval sloops, increasing the total number of sloops available for anti-submarine defence and patrol work to four. An increase of 1500 in the seagoing personnel. LAND DEFENCE. In land defence the proposals are: An increase of permanent troopa concentrated in vital parts, and the provision of a. larger number of • key personnel to man the forts in emergency.- ■ ~ An increase in the supply of anti» aircraft defence to the fullest extent which the ordnance factory at Melbourne can supply. ■ The construction of anti-tank guns and rifles. The intensification of the mechanisation of army units. ADJ DEFENCE. The following new units will bS added to the present strength of the air force: — ' Two squadrons stationed at Darwin. One squadron stationed at Brisbane. Three squadrons stationed at Canberra. • . Two squadrons stationed on. at cite to be selected on the southern New; South Wales coast. An additional squadron in Western; AustraliaThere will be an intensification o* the supply of military aircraft constructed in Australia.. ■ .. The first line strength of aircraft is to be increased from 96 to 198. MUNITIONS SUPPLIES. ■ Referring to munitions, Mr. Lyons said there will be an intensification of production, and development- of potential resources. . The total new expenditure will b#S Navy ........... £7,750,000 Army ........;.. £5,500,000 Air Force £8,800,000 Munitions £2,800,000