DEFENCE OF AUSTRALIA

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7056, 18 February 1910, Page 1

DEFENCE OF AUSTRALIA

THE KITCHENER SCHEME BIG INCREASE OF MILITARY ESTIMATES INVOLVED.

SWEEPING CHANGES

By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. MELBOURNE, February 17.

The main portion of Lord Kitchener's report on the defence of Australia will bo ; available for publication in a few days. There will be a confidential report as well as a document embodying advice on the question of organisation. It is understood the carrying out of the recommendations will involve a great increase in the military estimates, and some sweeping changes in the personnel. AVhile the scheme fits into the new Defence; Act, so far as the main principles are concerned, some important amendments have to be made to give full effect to it.

It proposes to abolish military districts, and re-group tlie militia and compulsory trained levies after a plan having special regard to strategical considerations.

In an expanded form it supports the Government's scheme for'the establishment of small arms and cordite factories, and military .colleges, and it is said to favour the acquisition of the Colonial Ammunition Company's works, or to otherwise . complete Governmental management of car-tridge-making. Tho scheme proposes to increase the ammunition reserves in all parts of the Commonwealth, the creation of centres of a given number of self-de-pendent, fully-equipped army corps capable of movement at any moment to any danger-point. It also recommends the fortification of several independent coastal points and close association of the railway systems with defence organisation, and advocates the early construction of a trans-continental railway.

, ECONOMY WITH EFFICIENCY .■■•■'',.'.; ■ SYDNEY, February 17. Speaking at Inverell, the Federal Prime Minister, STr A. Dcakin, declared that Lord Kitchener's scheme studied ■ economy without sacrificing efficiency. Putting aside all decoratire effect of militarism, it was framed for'the... purposes.of those desiring to defend their hearthstones and those dear to them.