AUSTRALIA'S DEFENCE BILL

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1798, 10 July 1913, Page 5

AUSTRALIA'S DEFENCE BILL

0 : THE COST TO DATE. ' INTERESTING FIGURES. Melbourne, Juno 21, In a retrospective memorandum on the work of his Department since he has had oontrol of Defence, Senator Pearcp says that tho total personnel required for tho fleet unit was 2500 approximately, and tho complements of shore and harbour establishments, including the numbers under trainiug, would be about 850 by June, 1913. It was therefore necessary to provide 3000 additional officers and men by June 30, 1913, and to make provision also for wastage in tho two years 1911-13. Stops taken to eecuro recruits; and tho numbers rooruited in Australia in 191213 to date were:—Boys for Tingira, '235; and men and youths for the naval depot, Williamstown, 850. It was anticipated that in June, 1913, the total personnel of 3350 would he made up. Reserves and senior naval cadets now number just under 4000.

The naval expenditure for tho last three years was:—l9lo-13, .£1,450,071; 1911-12, .£1,595,605; and 1912-13, .£2,349,527. Instructions were issued by the Minister for an examination of tho problem of tho naval defence of the north of Australia. This has been carried out by Captain Hughes Onslow, Commander Tnring, and Lieutenant Hardy, R.N., acting in conjunction with the Chief of General Staff. The report had been submitted on tho military side of defence. There were in all 925 persona employed in connection with tho factories established by the Department. The amount paid in wages and salaries for February, 1913, was ,£7?29. Relations between tho management and employees had been most satisfactory. In tho three years 1500 horses had been purchased,' at an average cost of approximately .£25 each. This number was sufficient for tho Horse Field Artillery batteries at ipresent existing. When not required by the batteries thev wero available for the work of the schools of instruction, and for other mounted units. With the development of universal trainiug further field batteries would bo formed, and additional horses would be required.

Under the system of universal training the war establishment would bo about 120,000, aud the equipment required about .£2,500,000, of which X 1,000,000 worth was practically in hand. It would .be necessary to provide not less thau X 500.000 a year for the next five years to. complete the new establishment. The annual cost afterwards should be not more than .£20,000 if the same establishment should remain in force, including junior cadets and rifle clubs. The annual cost a head of individuals on the establishment of the Department was £7 5.9. in 1913, as against .£9 10s. in 1910. Similarly tho cost per head of the establishment of the military part of the central administration votes was Cs. 3d. in 1913, as against 7s. in 1910.