NEW DEFENCE POLICY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19604, 26 September 1933, Page 7

NEW DEFENCE POLICY

AIMS OF AUSTRALIAN AUTHORITIES GREATER EFFICIENCY DESIRED United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received September 25, 7.45 p.m.) SYDNEY, September 25. Sir George Pearce, Minister of Defence, addressing the Million’s Club to-day, outlined the Commonwealth Government’s defence policy. The proposals include an extensive naval air force additions, manufacture of arms and munitions in Australia, strengthening of coastal fortresses, creation of armoured car units and closer co-oper-ation with New Zealand and Britain. The Commonwealth, Sir George Pearce said, would aim to provide an efficient squadron of ships which would dovetail with the Imperial defence policy. Provision would be made for the necessary bases, equipment, fuel, stores, training and a personnel which would ensure mobility and efficiency. Up-to-date new armaments would be installed in the coast fortresses and the Government would embark on the manufacture of a considerably larger quantity of small arms and ammunition than in former years. Sir George said steps would be taken this year to bring the Australian army into line with the mechanisation of the British Army. An armoured car regiment would be raised in a district where a light horse regiment was formerly raised, while provision would be made for a larger number of armoured cars for the protection of the coastline. A pattern would be evolved suitable for local conditions and the Government hoped to produce these in the Australian munition factories and a large number would be available in case of emergency. Troops would be trained in future in large camps instead of small unit camps. Output of Munitions. The Minister announced that whereas five years ago only 30 per cent, of the munitions used by the Australian Navy were made in Australia, the output this year would be 90 per cent. In regard to the development of the air force the Government intended to replace wastage with the most modern aircraft. Naval Strength. Sir George Pearce went on to say that the Government would aim at a naval squadron of four effective cruisers in full commission, and with the requisite aircraft, a destroyer leader and four destroyers in full commission, sloops and surveying vessels for essential peace time use and as minesweepers in war time. An essential feature of the naval policy, he explained, was that aircraft were vital auxiliary both for the navy and army. Ships, officers and men must be interchangeable with the Royal Navy, which meant that the ships must be built on identical lines, have identical armaments and have a personnel trained to the same standard. The Minister emphasised that the Government’s policy was intended to strengthen Australian defences with a view to the danger of aggression and to help in protecting trade routes. He appealed foi the support of employers and employees and asked that the matter be treated as non-political. He added that negotiations were now going on with the New Zealand Government with the object of restoring the close defence liaison which existed in prewar days. Speech Commended. Mr W. M. Hughes and other speakers in commending Sir George Pearce’s speech said it was remarkable because it was delivered prior to the Federal budget and also for the fact that it contained no element likely to arouse the hostility of any other country.