AUSTRALIA’S AIR DEFENCE

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 March 1928, Page 2

AUSTRALIA’S AIR DEFENCE

SIR JOHN SALMOND’S MISSION. MELBOURNE, March 3. Complete reorganisation of the Australian aerial defence forces is expected to result from the visit in June of Air Marshal Sir John Salmond, at the invitation of the Federal Ministry. The request that the British Government should send an expert to Australia to investigate air defence indicates that the Federal authorities are not satisfied with the Royal Australian Air Force, as it has’ existed up to the present. A comparatively small sum of money has been spent on the equipment of the force, and most of the machines in use were received as a gift from the British Government at the end of the war. Officers of the Royal Australian Air Force would not express an opinion as to the efficiency of the equipment, but it is generally expected that _ it will be the subject of severe criticism from Sir John Salmond. The complete investigation of the present Air Force and the advisability of establishing additional air defence centres in parts of Australia not now equipped is expected to occupy considerable time, and when all inquiries have been made, a comprehensive report covering the present condition of the service, the need for additional air defence facilities, and suggestions for the organisation and equipment of. the Royal Australian Air Force will be submitted to the Federal Ministry.