STRONGER DEFENCES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21938, 23 October 1934, Page 11

STRONGER DEFENCES

POLICY IN AUSTRALIA • INCREASED EXPENDITURE [from our own correspondent] SYDNEY. Oct. 36 Several decisions of great importance bearing on the future defence policy of the Commonwealth will be made in the next few weeks, after the new Minister in charge of the department. Mr. Parkhill, has had an opportunity of conferring with Sir George Pearce, the former Minister, and the Secretary of Defence, Mr. M. Shepherd. The Lyons Government has determined to enter upon a carefullybalanced scheme to . recondition and somewhat increase Australia's existing services and defences. This scheme will be accomplished over a brief span of years. Mu<Ji of the money required will be found from accumulated surpluses in the Federal Treasury. As far as possible, the execution of the defence plan will avoid the imposition of further burdens on the taxpayers. The programme entails a gros» increase in expenditure in 1934-35, of about £1,900,000 over the 1933-34 figures, but administrative savings of about £120,000 may be possible. Of the increased expenditure, about £600,000 will meet additional norma) requirements on the basis of the present defence organisation, and £1,300,000 is for expansion. The naval items involve an increase of about £750,000, including one-fifth of the cost of the new cruiser Sydney, and tli*> building: of a sloop at Cockatoo Island. An additional £250,000 will be spent on the army, providing, among other matters, for the progressive re-arma-.inent of all coast defences. The Air Force programme involves the expenditure of nearly £300,000 more than in 1933-34. This will provide for the modernisation and expansion of present equipment, the training of a larger personnel, and the provision of the latest in bombing and scouting machines.