AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 13887, 23 October 1905, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE.

—-—■ —■> FEDERAL GOVERNMENT POLICY. United Press Association—By Electric T e kgraph— Copyxigh t. MELBOURNE, October 21. In the Federal House, Mr Ewing outlined the Government defence policy. It proposed to eland by the agreement as regards naval affairs with the Imperial Government. Coastal harbour defences was th© first problem. It is estimated that from half a million to a million sterling will bo required to put the forts in efficient order. The Government intended to get the very best advice in the matter before starting to spend money. At the present time they had only one rifle for every thirty men on the electoral rolls. It was proposed to spend all the money available on rifles, purchasing 8000 at a cost of £31,000. The leading feature of the policy would bo the development and improvement of the Cadet corps and rifle clubs, and increasing the output of ammunition .and emall-arma.