STRICT SECRECY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23019, 22 April 1938, Page 6

STRICT SECRECY

AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE

need emphasised government programme ■' [fbom oub own cokhespondejjt] SYDNEY. April 16 Tfie need for strict secrecy regarding the Commonwealth's defence measures has been emphasised by the Minister of Defence, Mr. H. V. Thorby. He has appealed to the public not to be too solicitous for information vital to the safety of Australia. Mr. Thorby said he had given in. structions that no public statements about the defence programme were to be made by any unauthorised person. Secrecy was so essential that he had issued instructions that officers of the Defence Department were not to discuss defence matters even among themBelves in public places. Similar instructions had been issised to all private firms co-operating in du. fence programmes. .It was essential that information about co-ordination schemes should be kept within as small a circle as possible. "It was for this reason," added the Minister, "that I prohibited the taking of photographs on any of the aerial routes of Australia, or of any defence works in any part of Australia. It wai contended by some people that I had no authority to do this, but I issued the instructions and challenged anyone to deny my right to do so. "The aviation companies are cooperating and are preventing passengers from using cameras during flights. If attempts are made, the cameras will be taken away and',returned at the end of the flights." Mr. Thorby explained that the machinery which would be purchased by the Commonwealth for private firms would be used for the manufacture of particular articles or-sections of articles which might be required in an emergency. This machinery would be the property of the Government, and would be kept in reserve by manufacturers so that;it might be used without any dislocation of factory organisation as. and when, required. The Council of Scientific and Indusj trial Research was co-operating, so that j every part of this machinery might be thoroughly standardised. This would ensure that factories could be converted simultaneously from commercial to de- • fence production.