THE PRUNING KNIFE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18543, 2 May 1922, Page 5

THE PRUNING KNIFE

COMMONWEALTH DEFENCE, ECONOMY SCHEME CONDEMNED. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright SYDNEY, May 1. (Received May 1, at 7.45 p.m.) Military critics are strongly opposed to that portion of the Commonwealth scheme of economy which involves the drastic pruning of the military estimates and, the consequent reductions, which, it is understood, involve the closing of 'the Duntroon Military College or its amalgamation with the Jervis Bay Naval College; also the abolition of junior and senior, cadet training and the reduction of the citizens’ forces in training with the curtailment of permanent officers. Commissioned units of the fleet will also be further reduced. General Brand warns the nublic that the proposed reductions threaten to do irreparable harm to the citizens’ forces. He is convinced that the people of Australia do not want such economy as will prejudice the country’s future defence and efficiency. Regarding the proposed. naval reductions, it is stated that at least 11 vessels of various dimensions belonging to the fleet ore officially regarded as out of date and that only two or three will remain in active commission. NAVAL EXPENDITURE, SIR JOHN SALMOND’S VIEWS. SYDNEY, May 1. (Received May 1, at 10.15 p.m.) Sir John Salmond has arrived. Asked for his opinion on the proposed Australian defence economies, he said that the Naval Treaty signed at Washington might tend to create in the public mind the belief that expenditure on naval defence was no longer imperative. This was a great mistake. The mere fact that a rational limit had been imposed in no way affected the maintenance of the fleet permitted by the treaty. It was the duty, of Australia and the other self-governing dominions to bear their full share of the financial burden which the fleet imposed. FATE OF H.M.A.S. AUSTRALIA. MELBOURNE, May 1. (Received May 1, at 10.15 p.m.) It is authoritatively stated that the tattle cruiser Australia will be dismantled, towed to sea and sunk by big gun fire, as the cost of breaking her up is too great.