AIR DEFENCE FORCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20072, 9 October 1928, Page 12

AIR DEFENCE FORCE.

POSITION IN AUSTRALIA. EXPENDITURE AUTHORISED. DOMINION AND COMMONWEALTH. "I cannot understand it, but I will refrain from making definite statements until I have seen tho whole of tho report." This was tho reply of Sir William Glasgow, Australian Minister of Defence, yesterday, when asked if ho had anything to say concerning tho extract from the report on Australia's air defenco by Air Marshal Sir John Salmond. Tho report of Sir John stated in effect that tho Australian Air Forco was useless for war owing to tho machines being obsolete, tho absenco of reserve equipment, and tho low standard of training. r iho replacement of equipment was also overdue. Sir William said just before ho left Australia for Canada to attend the Empiro Parliamentary Conference, ho authorised tho expenditure of a largo sum for purchasing new aeroplanes and equipment. Their policy was to bring the equipment up to date gradually. Ho realised the importance to Australia of an efficient air force, and they meant to have an efficient force. Tho new machines which ho had authorised would replace old machines, many of which were gift aeroplanes. Discussing defence matters generally, Sir William said ho believed Australia and New Zealand should co-oporato on matters of defence. Theso countries were closo to each other, and their problems of defence wero common.