A NEW BATTLESHIP

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23647, 3 November 1938, Page 11

A NEW BATTLESHIP

THE AUSTRALIAN PROPOSAL

NO VESSELS AT SINGAPORE LONDON, Nov. 1. (Received Nov. 2, at 5.5 p.m.) Mr Hector By water, writing in the Daily Telegraph, says:—"lt has for a long time been evident that Australia ultimately would be compelled to build at least one.battleship. Although Hobart and Perth are augmenting the navy and large sums have been earmarked for the Air Force and coastal defence, the Commonwealth is not yet in a position to repel an attack. The completion of Singapore will add to the security of Australia and territories in the Pacific, but it is primarily designed as a battleship base. At present no battleships are available for service there, and it is also unlikely that any which are being built will be spared for the Pacific. If it is decided to form a battleship squadron for Singapore, it will probably comprise the old modernised Queen Elizabeth class. Such a squadron would be greatly strengthened by a new Australian battleship of 40.000 tons mounting 16-inch guns. AIRCRAFT FROM AMERICA FIFTY BEING ORDERED' CANBERRA, Nov. 2. (Received Nov. 2, at 11.55 p.m.) The Prime Minister (Mr J. A. Lyons) announced in the House of Representatives that 50 of the Lockheed Hudson type of aircraft were being ordered from the United States for the Australian Air Force. He added that an intensive drive would be made immediately to bring the militia forces to 70,000 by voluntary enlistment for service within Australia. .'. ;• . ";.;:. Mr J. Curtin, Leader of the Opposition, at a later stage moved a no-confidence motion. He said the Government had been vague.where specific direction was required, and weak to the point of vacillation where strength and resolution were needed. v The. Government in fact never had the confidence of a large section of the members sitting behind it DOMINION CO-OPERATING CANBERRA, Nov. 2. (Received Nov. 3, at 1.35 a.m.) Senator Foil, who represents the Minister of Defence in the Senate, stated to-day that New Zealand was co-operating satisfactorily with Australia in defence matters. Exchanges were arranged between officers of- the New Zealand and Australian Staff Corps. New Zealand officers and non-commissioned officers were attending military courses in Australia, while the resources of Australian munition establishments had been investigated by visiting New Zealand officers, and a considerable amount of work had been undertaken on behalf of the New Zealand Government, including the supply of munitions and various types of armaments.