'The European situation' is having repercussions on the defence plans of. the Dominions.
The preoccupation of the Royal Navy with dangers in the Mediter~ ranean has awakened Australia and New Zealand to the necessity of accelerating their own defence provi-
'The Australian Defence Council has decided not to wail completion of the three-year defence programme 1937, bul Is Jounching' a further defence programme in' September which, by overlapping the present programme, will mean an expendi ture of about £8,000,000 "in the current financial year. The Council anxious to build up defences. ce-operation with the British Government, It proposes:—Commissioning a second stoop.
Attracting more recruits to the naval reserve and regular estabish-
Installing ai tanks at Darwin and Improving' coastal defences, including the provision of 92-inch and 6- Inch guns, searchlights and antiaircraft guns.
Tnereased mechanization of equ ment.
Provision for more aeroplanes snd assistance in their manufacture, Strengthening all bomber and reconnaissance squndrans and citizen airforee. squadrons.
Establishment of factories for the manufacture of tanks and -machine=
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.