PROTECTING AUSTRALIA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22612, 28 December 1936, Page 13

PROTECTING AUSTRALIA

PREPARING FOR DEFENCE GREATER SELF-RELIANCE [from our own correspondent] SYDNEY, Dec. 12 Great Britain's warning that the Dominions will need to be more selfdependent in defence is not lost upon Australia. A recruiting rally has just raised the Citizen Forces to the minimum peace establishment of 35,000. There is a strong feeling that this army is not sufficient. The Returned Soldiers' League has passed a resolution, declaring for compulsory military training. The Federal Labour Party, which for a time seemed to view defence preparations with little favour, recently announced a programme, providing for the defensive organisation of industry; the training and equipment of a substantial nucleus of effective field forces, capable of speedy expansion; a strong air force; and development of the country's capacity to provide adequate munitions. The Labour view is that "a really effective central system of Imperial defence with the Boyal Australian Navy as a unit thereof does not meet rerequirements for Australia's safety." The Commonwealth Government, a union between the United Australia and Country Parties, is beginning a second three years period of defence preparation. The appropriations for 1936-37 account for more than £8,000,000, which is being spent on naval and air forces and land defences. Differences of opinion between Federal Government and Opposition concern the proportion of money that should be spent on the Navy and the proportion that should be spent on Air Forces and Army. The Government inclines to what is known in England as "the bluewater school."