INADEQUATE DEFENCES

Northern Advocate, 21 September 1933, Page 9

INADEQUATE DEFENCES

AUSTRALIA PERTURBED. PUBLIC INTEREST AROUSED. (Received 9 a.m.) SYDNEY, September 20. _ There has been considerable discussion in the Australian press lately in regard to the inadequacy of Australia’s defences. ’ Mr W. M. Hughes has been a prominent figure .in the agitation to awaken interest in the danger of aggression. ? A public meeting in Sydney todays convened by, the -Lord Mayor, Mr R. C. Hagon, decided to form a citizens l national defence committee, Avhich is to be entirely non-political. Mr-Hughes, the chief speaker, def dared that the world tyas seething with unrest. Australia could not eon/ tinue to go AA’ithout arms, in a world Avithout , liberty. Never . Avas . there 1 such a country as Australia —so inviting and i vulnerable. , . The meeting carried a resolution in favour of the promotion of a movement for the rehabilitation of Australia’s defence on a sound, practical basis, and . lhat a sustained effort be made ta bring the A r oluntary training system up to the full strength desired by the ; miltary authorities.

‘-‘ARMS AND ALARMISTS.”

A TIMELY WARNING.

(Received 11 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day,

An editorial article entitled “Arms and Alarmists,” in the “Sydney Morning Herald,” refers to the agitation for strengthening the Australian defences, and declares: “There is no warrant for reckless representation of our position as one of peril. “The propaganda quite clearly is directed against Japan, which is a loyal ally, and is still a treaty partner, and also one of our most important trading customers. Australia must continue to desire peace, especially with those who, powerful enough, if provoked, could ruin us.” The paper announces that the Minister of Defence, Sir George Pearce, next Monday will dissociate the Government from the “alarming, exaggerated and reckless” utterances, made recently by unauthorised and irresponsible persons.