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EMPIRE DEFENCE
CO-OPERATION
Broad Principles on
Post-War Policy
CANBERRA, Fridoy.— The Prime Minister (Mr;
Chifley) announced to-day the guiding principles which ,
the Commonwealth Government believes should broadly
govern the aspect of co-operation in Empire defence.
The principles' were laid down
by the Imperial Conference of
1923, and the Prime Ministers'
Conference in 1944. War Cabi
net approved them this week
in its review of the progress, of
wor.: on post-war defence policy.
The statement of principles
outlined by Mr. Chifley make it
clear that each part of the Em
pire ' will- provide for its own
ocal defence, With ; maintenance
of adequate sea power and - uni
form development , of iair forces,
provision of naval and air bases,
and fuelling and- repair facilities.
There should .be air force- inter
changes of personnel and units.
Mr. Chifley said other prin
ciples adopted were: —
Munitions and foodstuffs.
Development of Empire re-
sources rior me nianuinoi/uie ui
munitions (including aircraft), as .
well as for the supply of raw ma
terials, with the following ob
jects in view: — (a) A reduction in
the existing dependence of' all
parts of the Commonwealth on
the nunitions produced in the
United Kingdom; (b) avoidance,
as far as possible, of oyerconcen-
tration of resources for manufac
ture and supply In any area, es
pecially liable to attack; (c) the
possibility of a development and
extension of such resources in
time of emergency.
Development of manufacturing
self-sufficiency, and combining
manufacturing facilities between
Empire units.
Plans to ensure adequate sup-
plies of raw materials and
foodstuffs. . V .
Mr. Chifley said Australia had
in 1941 made proposals relating
to expansion of Australian ship
building and aircraft production
capacity, and transfer of British
people and ' production units in
these and other industries; a
policy of establishing aircraft and
aero engine manufacturing faci--
llties here for the production of
British-designed aircraft and aero
engines suitable for the defence
of all British countries, the aim
being Empire standardisation.
Mr. Chifley made. It .clear .the
Commonwealth Parliament could
determine the nature and extent
of any action which should be
I.i the general considerations
of Empire defence co-operation
ne stressed me uiipui imiee ui
standardisation in organisation,
weapons, training and exchange ..
of officers and consultation on
all matters of mutual defence.
The proposals .by Australia In
1944 should be taken as . a gene
ral - guide when considering -im
proved machinery for Empire co
operation.
Commercial . . ... . . . . Page 4
Sporting ...... . . Paget 5, 6
Literary Suppicmont, Pages 7, 8, 9
Women's Section -.. .. Page 10
Class. Advts., Pages 6 fir 10. to 18
Classified Advts. Index .. Page 3
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