POST OF DEFENCE

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVII, Issue 170, 21 July 1913, Page 6

POST OF DEFENCE

AUSTRALIA'S EXPENDITURE,

SYDNEY, July 1. Before he handed over the administration of his Department to his liberal successor, in consequence of the electors haying given the Liberal party a majority of on© in the Comnlonwealth House o!: Representatives, Mr Pearce. Minister tor Defence in the Fisher Ministry, issued an interesting statpnveait concerning the advamce made dxiring the last three years in measures for the defence of this country. It is shown that action in accordance with the recognised European maxim, "If you want peace prepare for war" entailed an outlay of £12,----526,199 by the Commonwealth for the three year period. M'r Pearce, whose zeal and capacity as Minister for Defence are acknowledged all round to have been admirable, sets forth in his statement that for tho sum named a fleet unit has been commenced, with all the attending recruiting grounds, and an army of over 200,000 men and youths put into training. In addition factories have been established for the manufacture of war material to the end that Australia may be independent of supplies from outside sources. As regards ths naval forces, the position in 1910 was that the total personnel of the forces was 240, of whom ZQ had been sent to England in 1910 to bring out the torpedo boat destroyers. The total of the naval militia, was about 1000. To-day the personnel is 3350, of whom 2190 are Australians. The remainder have been lent from the Royal Navy, or are exRoyal Navy men. Work is proceeding with the establishment of new naval bases at four places, and the

Governments of the various States have been asked to reserve land for the same purpose at other localities. At the dockyard at Cockatoo Island, Sydney, a cruiser and three destroyers are being built under the direction of the Commonwealth. Altogether the record shows that Australia has fairly launched on. an energetic and expensive defence policy.