DEFENCES OF AUSTRALIA

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 26 September 1933, Page 5

DEFENCES OF AUSTRALIA

MINISTER OUTLINES POLICY EXTENSIVE ADDITIONS PLANNED MECHANISATION OF ARMY. NEW COASTAL FORTRESSES. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegrapli Lopyngnt.j SYDNEY, Sept. 2f*. Sir George Pearce, Minister of Defence, addressing the Millions Club today, outlines the Commonwealth Government’s defence policy. The proposals include extensive naval and air force additions, the manufacture or arms and munitions in Australia, strengthening the coastal fortresses, the creation of armoured car units, and closer co-operation with New Zealand and Britain _ ~ The Commonwealth, Sir George said, would aim to provide ail efficient squadron of ships which would dovetail with the Imperial defence policy. Provision would be made for necessary oases foi equipment and fuel stores and training personnel, which would ensure mobility and efficiency. ■ Up-to-date- new armament would- be installed in coastal fortresses. lhe Government would embark on the njanufacture of a considerably larger quantity of small arms and ammunition than in former years. Steps would be taken this .year to bring the , Australian Army into line with the mechanisation of the British Army An armoured car regiment would be raised in the district where a light horse regiment was formerly raised,' while provision would be made for a larger number of armoured cars for protection of the coastline; a - P a , tern would be evolved suitable for local conditions. The Government hoped to produce these in Australian munition factories and large numbers Mould be available in case of emergency. LARGE TRAINING CAMPS. Troops would be trained in future in large, camps instead of in small unit CSI Sir S George announced that whereas five vears ago only thirty per cent, o; the munitions used by the Australian Navv were made in Australia the output this year would be ninety per cent. In regard to the development oi the air force Sir George said the Government intended to replace wastage with the most modern aircraft. Sir George said the Government, would aim at a naval squadron of four effective cruisers in full commission with requisite aircraft, a destroyei leader, four destroyers in full commission, sloops and surveying vessels for essential peacetime service and use as minesweepers in wartime Es f e £lp features of naval policy, he explained, were that aircraft Mere a vital auxili ary both to the navy and army, and that ships, officers and men must be interchangeable with the P°y a i i V tv ?, , i which meant that ships must be bmlc on identical lines with identical armaments and with the personnel trained to the same standard. Sir George emphasised that the Government’s policy was intended to strengthen Australian defences in yie« of the danger o£ aggression and to heJ,. in protecting trade routes. He appealed for support from employers and employees and asked that the matter be-treated as non-political. He added that negotiations were now going on with the New Zealand Government lith the object of restoring the close defence liaison that existed m pre-Mar W. M. Hughes and other speakers, commending Sir George’s speech, said it was remarkable because it uas delivered prior to the Federal Budget also for the fact that it contained no element likely to arouse hostility in any other country. REAL CONCERN AT CANBERRA SYDNEY PRESS COMMENT

Received 11.50 am. to-day. SYDNEY, Sept. 26. The “Sydney Morning Herald” in a leading article on the defence policy says - "“That there has been real concern at Canberra is clear enough and ve know the British authorities have been in constant touch with our own defence department. The situation in Europe as it developed from dayto dav caused increasing alarm; also, the position in the Pacific, with the American and Japanese navies demonstrating in strength, caused thoughtful citizens to make demands for information as to the Federal Government s inten‘‘“"btomllv, the truth is that nothing we enn do will serve to protect « from invasion in the immediate future, ine Minister does not offer a olan until that in view, but we must beheve the nronosals are the result ot earnest thinking and sound wisdom made comolete bv full agreement with the Mother Country as to the best course to pursue.”