AUSTRALIA’S PART

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 8 October 1936, Page 6

AUSTRALIA’S PART

NOT only is the British Labour Party sound on the principle of national defence, but the Australian Labour Party is equally sound on that important matter. Mr Curtin, the leader of the Federal Labour Party, has announced the Party’s allegiance to “a defence scheme commensurate with Australia’s ability to maintain it, and adequate for Australia’s needs.” That is as it should be, for the announcement means that the States and people of the Commonwealth are united in their determination to provide such measures of defence as will insure the Island Continent against successful invasion. One of such measures will be the completion of the railway which will connect the southern States with Port Darwin, in accordance with the advice of the late Lord Kitchener, and the sooner the work 'is done the better, for it has been too long delayed. Naturally, when the British and Australian Governments have decided to place their defences on a sound basis, there will' be those in this country who will ask what the New Zealand Government proposes to do in the matter of defence. The measures will have to be threefold, if they are to be successful. There will have to be territorial defence, aerial defence, and a certain measure of naval defence. The Territorial Force will have to be placed on an efficient footing, and be adequately armed and trained. The creation of a fully equipped, fully trained, and adequately strong air force is absolutely necessary; and the maintenance of submarines and destroyers for the protection of the Straits, important harbours, and narrow waters seems strongly advisable. So far Mr Savage and his colleagues have disclosed no plan of national defence, though assurances have been given that they have not lost sight of the matter. The people of the Dominion will endorse any such plan which is adequate, sound, and within the country’s means financially.