AUSTRALIA'S ARMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21853, 16 July 1934, Page 6

AUSTRALIA'S ARMS

NAVAL AND AIR PLANS THE MILITARY FORCES PROBABLE PROPOSALS [from our own correspondent] SYDNEY. July 2 It is expected that the next Federal Budget will contain some important references to the defence of Australia. There is suro to be another instalment of naval plans, for the programme now being put into operation is part of a general scheme that will extend over three years or more. It is anticipated that the Federal Government will lay its plans with the object of bringing the Australian Navy up to its pre-war strength. The strengthening of the Air Force is also being proceeded with. Air-Com-mander Williams has just returned to Australia from England, where he represented the Defence Department in the placing of orders for 18 new Hawker Demons, which are light highspeed bombers, and 24 amphibians, which will work principally in co-opera-tion with the Fleet. Delivery of the Demons will begin in about four months, and of the others in about eight months. Particular interest will centre in the Government's proposals regarding the military forces. These are now much below normal strength, and, indeed, much below the strength which experts regard as 'safe, even in peace time. It can be stated fairly definitely that compulsory training will not be resorted to, but it remains to be seen how the authorities are going to attract recruits. Soldiering Not Popular Soldiering is not popular with the majority of Australians. It is not a question of loyalty, for if the need arose it is certain that there would be a rush of volunteers. At the same time, it is unlikely that the Government will be content to develop two branches of the defence services and neglect a third, especially at a time when it is recognised that one is so dependent on the other. Colonel ,Sir Maurice Hankey, secretary of the Committee of Imperial Defence, and a native of South Australia, will be an official guest at the Melbourne Centenary celebrations, and while in Australia the Federal Government will consult him regarding a comprehensive scheme for the defence of Australia./' He is recognised as an expert on all defence problems. In initiating a progressive policy covering all branches of the service the Government desires to have the best advice possible, and for that reason will delay the allocation of the increased defence vote. In selecting Sir Maurice, the Government has in mind his experience, not only on the technical side, but his outstanding qualifications as an administrator. Question ol Funds The question of the defence vote, the Government considers, is primarily one for a civilian Government. It first / has to decide how much money it can afford to spend on defence, and it next decides, on expert advice, how it shall be spent. On the three previous occasions on which the Government was advised on defence matters the experts brought to Australia specialised • in one branch of the service. Earl Jellicoe advised on naval protection, Earl Kitchener on axmy matters, and Sir John Salmon on the air force and plans for air defence It is typical of Governments that the recommendations of all three were practically ignored.