AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 December 1938, Page 8

AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE

NEED OF CAPITAL SHIPS AT SINGAPORE REFERENCES IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. DISPOSITIONS KEPT SECRET. By Telegra-h—Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Day, 12.35 p.m.) LONDON. December 21. In the House of Commons, Mr G. H. Shakespeare, replying to LieutenantCommander R. T. H. Fletcher, said it was not in the public interest to disclose the future disposition of British warships at Singapore. Lieutenant-Commander Fletcher: “Is the Admiralty satisfied; in the event of capital ships becoming necessary for the defence of Australia, that Britain will be able to provide them?” Mr Shakespeare: “Mr Street accurately stated the position at Canberra.”

It was reported from Canberra on December 7 that under the Australian defence proposals, the Royal Australian Air Force strength a would be increased to 212 first line machines, with a full reserve. A new air base was to be established at Townsville. The extended programme also provides for the establishment of a defence base for mobile naval air forces at Port Moresby. The Minister of Defence (Mr G. A. Street) made it clear that the soul of Australia’s defence preparations lay in co-ordination with the British Navy. “We look to Britain in an emergency to station at Singapore a fleet of sufficient strength to safeguard Empire interests in the Eastern hemisphere,” he said. “There has been much loose talk about the recent crisis proving that this could not be done. On the contrary, the Government had Sound grounds to be reassured on this point.” The Federal Treasurer (Mr R. G. Casey), announced that to complete the financing of the programme, substantial borrowing would be necessary, including the raising of moneys on the London market. Subsequently a Bill was introduced to authorise the borrowing of ah additional ten millions for defence.