AUSTRALIA'S DEFENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 November 1919, Page 7

AUSTRALIA'S DEFENCE.

. GEOTRAL MONASH'S VIEWt, PREPAREDNESS VITAL. London, Nov. C. t Licutenant-Ceneral Sir John Monash, in an interview, stated that the conditions of the Empire's deferce depend upon whether America becomes an effective member of the League of Nations. 'lf the democracies on both sides of the Pacific come together," lie said, "in order to maintain ithe peace of the Pacific, Australia's obligations will weigh more lightly, but the compulsory training of youths, the formation of a competent staff,; and the institution of arsenals and factories are, in anv case. Vital." , General Monash advocates the constant interchange of staffs between the Dominions and Britain for the standardisation of methods. "I learnt that," be said, "when during one of the decisive battles of the war I found myself commanding three Australian and two American divisions, the differences in ■training, psychology and organisation being so great that 'th% task of breaking the Hindenburg Lino proved extraordinarily complicated." General Monash forecasts an irresistible Australian demand that in future Australians should be led solely by Australians throughout.