AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE

Evening Star, Issue 19326, 12 August 1926, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE

MINISTER ANSWERS CRITICISM

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Press Association. MELBOURNE, August 12. (Received August 12, at 9.35 a.m.) In the House of Representatives, replying to criticism of tho Defence Estimates, the Minister of Defence (Sir Neville Howse) said that in 1925-26 the cost of defence in Australia bad been 27s 2d per head, which was greater than that of any other dominion. Although the Inspector-general’s report on land forces was condemnatory of the. Ministry, it must not he forgotten that the Naval and Air Forces were the first lines of defence. In both these branches progress had been made in the advance of the programme laid down for five years in 1923. [The Inspector-general’s annual report on the military forces stated that if proper effect was not given to the establishment of a military force by the Commonwealth Government Australian power, in time of crisis would be greatly impaired. General Sir Henry Chauvel also pointed out that with the funds now available it would bo possible to place the Australian Army in a state of preparedness. _ Ho concluded by strongly emphasising that a considerable must lapse before any docisioii to increase the present degree of preparation could produce practical Jesuits.J ' ,