BIGGER NAVY FOR AUSTRALIA

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21184, 3 November 1938, Page 7

BIGGER NAVY FOR AUSTRALIA

COMPLETE CHANGE OF POLICY Forced by Rearming of Powers Co-operation of New Zealand United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received November 2, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, November 2. Mr Hector Bywater, writing in “The Daily Telegraph" says: It has long been evident that ...ustralla would ultimately be compelled to build at least one battleship, although the Hobart and the Perth were augmenting the navy and large sums were being earmarked for Air Force coastal defence, the Commonwealth was not yet in a position tc repel an attack. The completion of Singapore will add security to Australia and the territories in the' Pacific. Although primarily designed as a battleship base at present there were no battleships available for service there. It was also unlikely that any battleships that were building would 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 16inch guns. The Canberra correspondent of the “Sun” stated yesterday that plans for strengthening the Australian Navy with a battleship equipped with 16-lnch guns and costing £11,000,000, are before the Federal Cabinet, and will probably be approved. The correspondent adds that with the necessary escort craft and docking for such ft vessel the total cost would be not less than £15.000 000. The Federal Government has been assured that such a ship could be turned out in British yards in four years. The Minister for Defence (Mr Thorby) announced to-day the enlistment of a special defence auxiliary of former air officers and men, at least 100 of whom will perform instructional work. It is also intended to form a garrison of militia units in all industrial areas while the memberes of rifle clubs will be trained in the use of machine-guns to protect bridges, oil tanks and munition dumps. In addition about 2000 officers and men will be added to the naval strength and 3000 to the Air Force. STRONG AIR DEFENCES PLANS OUTLINED BY PRIME MINISTER OPPOSITION CRITICISM United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received November 2, 10.25 p.m.) CANBERRA, November 2. The Prime Minister ' announced in the House of Representatives that fifty Lockheed Hudson type of aircraft were being ordered from the United States for the Australian Air Force. Mr Lyons added that an intensive drive would be made immediately to bring the militia forces to 70,000 by voluntary enlistment for service within Australia. Challenged by Apposition 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 a point of vacillation, where strength and resolution were needed. The Government, in fact, had never had the confidence of a large section of the members sitting behind it. NEW ZEALAND CO-OPERATING AUSTRALIA’S READY ASSISTANCE GIVEN United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received November 3, 12.25 a.m.) CANBERRA, November 2. 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 noncommissioned 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 for various types of armaments.