FEDERAL DEFENCE POLICY

Grey River Argus, 15 May 1922, Page 5

FEDERAL DEFENCE POLICY

- ARMY AND NAVY REDUCED. SYDNEY, May 13. Mr Hughes announced his defence policy at Mulumbimby. He, stated that estimates had been framed on a basis providing for a total reduction of £1,750,000 below the estimated expenditure of 1921. Reductions had been made possible by the Washington deciions. Limited defence measures were necessary, hence provision was being made for manufacturing munitions, but with a reduced output, so that the nucleus defence organisations would exist, to be amplified in case of emergency. The Government intended to use the twelve-inch guns on the Australia for strengthening coastal defence. A number of vessels in the Australian Fleet would bo placed in the reserve, and also the submarine flotilla. The personnel of the latter would be retained and distributed among" the vessels in commission, to be available if neccsThero would be the greatest reductions in the Army. It was proposed to abolish the junior cadet training. Cadets in future would be trained between the ages of sixteen years and eighteen years, and then pass into the militia, ceasing at twenty. Everything was being reduced to practically 25 per cent, of the war strength. Compensation would be paid to soldiers retired, unless absorbed into other Government Departments. The Air Service for the present would be reduced from four scpiadrons to one, but the ! civil aviation vote would be increased.