DEFENCE OF AUSTRALIA

Wairarapa Daily Times, 26 September 1933, Page 6

DEFENCE OF AUSTRALIA

POLICY STATEMENT. SYDNEY, Monday. Sir George Pearce, Minister of Defence, addressing the Millions Club today, outlined the Common wealth Government’s defence policy. The proposals include an extensive naval air force, additional provisions for the manufacture of arms and ammunition in Australia, the strengthening of coastal fortresses, the creation of armoured car units, and closer co-operation with New Zealand and Great Britain. The Commonwealth, the Minister said, would aim to provide an efficient squadron of ships which would dovetail with Imperial defence policy. Provision would be made for necessary bases, the equipment of fuel stores and the training of personnel which would ensure mobility and efficiency. Up-to-date new armament would be installed in the coast fortresses. The Government would embark on the manufacture of a considerably larger quantity of small arm ammunition than in former years. Steps w r ould 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. The Government hoped to produce these in Australian munition factories, and large numbers would be available in case of emergency. Troops would be trained in future in large camps, instead of in small unit * camps. Sir George Pearce announced that whereas five years ago only thirty per cent of the munitions used by the Australian Navy were made in Australia, the output this year would be ninety per cent. In regard to the development of the Air Force, the Government intended to replace wastage with the most modem aircraft. Sir George Pearce went on to say that the Government would aim at _ a naval squadron of four effective cruisers in full commission, 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. Aircraft were a vital auxiliary both in the Navv and Army. Slaps, officers and men must be interchangeable with the Royal Navy, -which meant that the ships must be built on identical lines, with identical armaments and with personnel trained on the same standurd. The Minister emphasised that the Government’s policy wa.3 intended to strengthen the Australian defences in view of the danger of aggression, and to help in protecting trade routes. He appealed for 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 m pre-war days. Mr W. M. Hughes and other speakers, 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 hostility in any other country.