AUSTRALIAN DEFENCES.
GENERAL BUTTON'S SCHEME.
By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyricnt.
Melbourne, April 24. The Minister for Defence has tabled in the House General Button's minute dealing with the defence of Australia. General Hutton says that for the defence of Australian soil a garrison force and a field force are necessary. For the defence of Australian interests wherever threatened the first essential is sea supremacy, guaranteed by the Royal Navy, arid the second the possession of a field force capable of undertaking operations in any part of the world. The existing peace establishment of the Commonwealth consists of 15,470 garrison troops, and 14,101 of a field force.
lie, proposed upon 9 war footing to slightly increase the garrison force, but to increase
the field force to 28,748, with 120 guns, consisting of 10.453 mounted troops, 2706 artillery, and 15,534 infantry, makiug the total garrison and field forces 44,218.
Ho favours the development of rifle clubs and cadet corps, and the gradual establishment of a small arms, ammunition, shell, and cordite factory and gun foundry. It is estimated that half-a-million will be sufficient to complete the garrison force and render the field force capable of carrying out its functions. '. . " ■
He urges the necessity of modern equipment and the danger of delay in completing a proper scheme of defence.
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11949, 25 April 1902, Page 5
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214AUSTRALIAN DEFENCES. New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11949, 25 April 1902, Page 5
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