AIR DEFENCES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19777, 3 November 1938, Page 7

AIR DEFENCES

PLANES FOR AUSTRALIA FIFTY U.S.A. MACHINES NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION FEDERAL OPPOSITION (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Nov. 3, 10 a.m.) CANBERRA, Nov. 2. The Prime Minister of Australia, Mr. J. A. Lyons, announced in the House of Representatives yesterday that 50 of the Lockheed-Hudson type of aircraft were being ordered from the United States for the Royal 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, the Leader of the Opposition, at a later stage, moved the following motion: “That because of the lamentable lack of leadership in regard to urgent national problems the Government has forfeited the confidence of the House.” Mr. Curtin said- that the Government had been vague. where specific direction was required and weak to the point of vacillation where strength and resolution were needed. The Government, in fact, never had the Qoniidence of the large section of members sitting behind it. Senator Foil, who represents the Minister of Defence in the Senate, stated yesterday that New Zealand was co-operating satisfactorily with Australia in defence matters. Exchanges were arranged between officers of the New Zealand and the Australian staff corps. New Zealand officers and non-commissioned officers were attending military courses in Australia, while the resources of the 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.