Ka Hoku o Hawaii, Volume XXXIII, Number 49, 5 April 1939 — Australia Set To Defend Herself In Case Of War [ARTICLE]

Australia Set To Defend Herself In Case Of War

T>etermined not to "be caught un-1 l-repared !n the evetit of war, Aus- j tralia has taken steps to organ!ze tlie entire resOur<N»s of tlie eoniitiouwealth to meet any emergency. For the past four years, ever since the "Ruropeaji sttnation beoame thrpatening, defense plans have been under revlsion and the tltree defense ?ervices have been gradual!y strengthened. The work has been speeded up in the past s!x month?. and it fs now sald that the whole scheme <y>uld he set in 'motion gmoothly and wlthout delay. In addition, the basis organizatTon for sxvingīnK the wliole of Austraiia's economy over to a war foot ina: is regarded as reasonably eomplete. I Tlans have been been made for I rapid mobilizatibn of transport and for \var materiaīs wherever they may he required. Tlie defense departnieut has exaot knowledge of

the looation of supplies aDd lias ura\vu a detailed scheme for usiug ( tliem to the best a<ivantage. , Manition supply facilities have i been expended to tlie point where it is *said that besides meeting all : Anstralia's requirements locally, suppjies could be made available to New Zealand and to British statious iu tho Far Kast, Arraoge- , UK>ats have l>eeu wa<3e to expatn.l i private uiunitions manafacture immediately if necessary. The defense forees were reduced iri the lD2o's, like those of EHlaio, und niore retrencluuents were made wlien AustraHa was in the throes of eeonomie depression. They are in a better conilition tlian in 1914. and espansion is now rapii The Australian navy is in a high statē of efficiency. The alr force !s weī! organizetl, and its equlpment is being improved and increasedi «very week. The permanent force of the arm# fs to be increased. and garr!sonB formed for "danper spots," especially Darwin. Already coast and harbor defenses have been installea or at strategic points for the protection of clties and in tiustri«i undertakingB. t The mUitia force was at ! uien several tears ago, large. ly be<>ause etiuipment and person»ei were not available for the effective trainiag of a larger number and funds were required for more orptent purposes. The foree is to !»e espanded to 42.000. wfth incpeases as soon as the 7.000 new volunteers ean be absorbed into eristingr unlts. The gov-! eroment does not expect anj diffi<ult.v in eniisting that auml>er, for tltere are waiting Ust» of volunteera