DANGER FROM JAPAN

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11657, 23 October 1923, Page 5

DANGER FROM JAPAN

ALARM IN AUSTRALIA

MINISTER ADMIT 9 DEFENCES ARE INADEQUATE. POSITION SERIOUS. By Telegraph.—?rA«a Assn.—Coovrisrlit Australian and N.Z. Cabl® Association. (Received October 22. 10.10 n.m.) SYDNEY.. October 22. ' In his presidential address at the annual conference of the National Fcdera tion, ex-Senator Plain declared that Japan was the only country likely to cross avoids with Australia, and he clomarded that Amei'ica and Britain should call a stop to Japan’s increasing navy. Japan, he said, was- not adhering to the spirit of the Washington Conference. As xrnioh as 49 per cent, of national expenditure was being spent on increasing her navy. ‘AN ARMED CAMP” Senator G. Pearce, replying, denied tihat Japan was not carrying out to the letter the spirit of the Treaty, and added that she took steps to put many of itfn operations into power before the Treaty was actually passed. Ho conchided: “This does not absolve Australia from her responsibility. We ere living irt an armed camp. War seems to have become an occupation.” NAVY EFFICIENT. Mr E. IC. Bowden, Minister for Defence, addressing the conference on defence matters, eaid Australia, New Zealand and Japan were not limited in the slightest bv the recent Armaments Conference as regards naval bases, which are absolutely necessary. He added that the efficiency of the Royal Australian Navy had never been higher than at present, but the reduction in personnel was serious. It had been reduced from 10,113 in 1921-22 to 7564 in 1922-23. Referring to munitions, he said that the small arms factories at Libligow .and Maribymong would be manufacturing revolvers and 18pounders shortly, in addition to shells for the 13-pounders. Plant was being installed to make shells up to six inches. At present, however, the position of Australia’s fixed defences and artillery units was serious as far as munitions was concerned, for stocks must be replenished.