AIR FORCE CHIEF.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20542, 18 February 1935, Page 5

AIR FORCE CHIEF.

Important Appointment in Australia. HEAD OF DEFENCE COMMITTEE. A re-orientation of the defence system of Australia of vast importance is foreshadowed in the promotion of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Commodore R. Williams, to the rank of Air ViceMarshal, (says the Melbourne “Herald”) With the retirement in April of the Chief of the General Staff, MajorGeneral J. H. Bruche, who is the present chairman, Air Vice-Marshal Williams, by virtue of rank and seniority, will become deputy chairman of the Defence Committee, comprising the heads of the services, and on the expiration of the term of the officer commanding the Australian squadron, Rear-Admiral W. T. R. Forde, he will succeed him as chairman. The officer commanding Australia's youngest defence arm will thus become head of the Commonwealth's most vital defence organisation—the core of the Council of Defence of which the Prime Minister himself is president. « With Air Vice-Marshal Williams* promotion will go an Increase In salary yet to be decided; when the regulations governing the Air Force were framed ita phenomenal growth was not foreseen, and no provision was made for such &u exalted rank. Significance of Change. Air Vice Marshal Williams is regarded in the service as an officer of exceptional ability. His reputation stands equally high with the Royal Air Force, and it is known that the present promotion was made by the Federal Cabinet with the special object that full advantage should be obtained from his wide experience in a service which is now’ com-

ing to be recognised as Australia’s principal bulwark against invasion. The rank of Air Vice-Marshal corresponds to that of Rear-Admiral in tha Navy, and Major-General in the Army. Air Vice-Marshal Williams will thus have seniority to Major-General Lavarack, when he is promoted to that rank, and to Rear-Admiral Ford’s successor in command of the Australian Squadron, whoever he may be. By an interesting coincidence, tha Royal Australian Air Force, which thia year celebrates its coming of age—l9l4 raiv its foundation —takes ita place in the forefront of the Australian defence system. The force which 21 years ago began with one permanent soldier and three citizen airmen, has now come into its own. Major-General Levarack, as well as being Chief of the General Staff, will bo chairman and First Military Member of the Military Board; but that i® an individual service authority; the Defenco Committee is representative of the three services and of the Defence secretariat. Air Vice-Marshal Williams, who is 44, is an Australian, and was the first pilot to graduate from Point Cook, in the first year. New Military Chief. At the same time it was announced (hat Cabinet had decided to promote Colonel J. D. Lavarack, Commandant of the Royal Military College, who is not yet 50, Chief of the General Staff. Cabinet’® decision to promote Colonel Lavarack from the eleventh position on the Staff Corps to the highest position in the Army, as well as making him First Member of the Military Board, is In accordance with a new policy of selection instead of seniority. It ia important because a big programme of military expansion has been mapped out over a period of years. During his recent vfeit to Australia the secretary of the Imperial Defence Committee. Sir Maurice Hankey. discussed the position of the Chief of the General Staff with the Federal Cabinet, and it is understood that he recommended the appointment of a young man.