AIRCRAFT FOR AUSTRALIA

Southland Times, Issue 23732, 2 February 1939, Page 5

AIRCRAFT FOR AUSTRALIA

Production On Big Scale

DEFENCE BASE AT DARWIN

Militia Strength Now

52,000

(United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright)

(Received February 1, 10.50 p.m.) MELBOURNE, February 1.

The Minister of Defence (Mr G. A. Street) today commented on the visit of the British air mission and reviewed Australia’s extended defence programme.

Mr Street expressed the opinion that Australia might be able to produce aircraft on a scale sufficient to provide all the needs of an exceedingly powerful air force and, in part, to meet demands arising in other parts of the Empire. Already, he claimed, there had been created “an extensive, well-balanced and co-ordinated organization which had placed Australia in an immeasurably stronger position to meet the threat of any form of external aggression.”

Mr Street said that within two years Darwin would become one of the most important defence areas in Australia. It would have an air force station with 36 aeroplanes, radio equipment, a larger dirport, a breakwater for flying-boats and the essential services which it needs. The cost in the first year would be £840,000. The strength of Australia’s militia has reached 52,000. The Minister of Health (Mr W. M. Hughes) stated: “Our goal of 70,000 is by no means reached, but the promise is enough to gladden the heart of anybody who believes and knows that Australia is willing to defend the greatest democracy on earth.”

The New South Wales Minister of Transport (Mr M. F. Bruxner) who has been appointed to organize the protection of the civilian population in a national emergency, announced that he had accepted the first 2000 volunteers for emergency service. SURVEY OF EMPIRE DEFENCES? BIG INCREASE IN BRITISH ARMS EXPENDITURE (Received February 1, 11.50 p.m.) LONDON, February 1. The Daily Mail says the British Government is contemplating a survey of the Empire’s defence resources, aimed at establishing the present strength of the Dominions and thejr potential wartime output of armaments. It is suggested that a commission will visit every unit of the Empire, extending the inquiry in India. Mr H. C. Bywater, naval correspondent of The Daily Telegraph,, says the

Navy Estimates for 1939, which will be issued at the end of the month, are expected to reach the record peacetime total of £140,000,000— £16,000,000 more than last year. The Secretary for Air (Sir Kingsley Wood) during a speech in Limehouse stated that the Air Estimates would be more than £200,000,000 —an increase of £96,500,000.