TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION F,. 477 
and is only fairly so when the fluctuating value of the money-commodity (gold) 
in comparison with commodities generally is taken into account. The expression 
of estimates of this character to a high order of precision is of course misleading, 
and, owing to the uncertainties in the method, it is of limited value for estimates 
of material progress. 
The following Paper was not read, but was printed in full and distributed 
to members of the Section :— y 
Australian Defence. 
By Senator the Hon. G. F. Pearcr, Hz-Minister for Defence. 
This subject falls naturally under two main aspects, Imperial and Local, 
with technical divisions, Naval and Military. 
Australia is affected by, and interested in, the defence schemes of the Empire, 
and every phase of the question must be considered from the point of view of the 
effectiveness of those schemes. 
The Imperial Conference in 1911 made full provision for the co-ordination 
of Australian Naval Defence with the Admiralty plans. Theoretically it is 
argued that any system of divided control is unsound, while, on the other hand, 
if local control is given up, local autonomy is surrendered. The latter course has 
no chance of being adopted in Australia, the people of the Commonwealth con- 
sidering national sentiment more powerful than written agreements. A navy 
within a navy is a logical outcome of a nation within a nation. The naval 
subsidy was never a popular arrangement in Australia. The Dreadnought scare 
solidified opinion in favour of an Australian owned and controlled navy. The 
expenditure on local naval defence has evoked no protest. British interests 
in the Pacific cannot be left to arbitrament of European nations or to the friendly 
keeping of an Asiatic ally. The provision of a fleet unit has made available to 
the Admiralty ships and personnel previously locked up in Australian waters. 
The Japanese alliance is only for a definite term, and at its conclusion a fleet 
could not be brought into being in a moment. Even a weak navy guarantees 
that there can be no land invasion until it is destroyed or neutralised, thus giv- 
ing breathing-time. The question of so directing the naval policy of the 
Dominions as to afford methods of effective combination and co-operation in time 
of war was decided for in the Naval Agreement of 1911. 
With reference to Military Defence, Australia has adopted the principle of 
compulsory universal military training. Persons enrolled under the Defence Act 
cannot be called on for service outside Australia. The obligation for universal 
service in time of war was always a feature of Australian Defence Acts. The 
claim for universal training is based on the fact that all are entitled to vote, and 
as the result of a vote may involve Australia in war, all should therefore bear the 
responsibility. Voluntary service is unfair, and is found by experience to be 
ineffective. The vastness of the country demands a numerically strong force. 
All law is based upon compulsion and to some extent trenches on the liberties 
of the people. The distance from Europe makes it unlikely that Australia can 
take any effective part in European conflicts. Apart from its purely military 
aspect, the military scheme provides for the physical training of the youth of 
the Commonwealth and for universal medical inspection. Training from youth 
upwards instils discipline into the mind while still receptive, and is a substitute 
for conscription of adults and for the barrack life inseparable from a permanent 
army. Medical examinations take place at the ages of twelve, fourteen, and 
eighteen; the particulars are entered on cards and tabulated, thus providing 
data of very great value to medical scientists. These examinations at the ages 
specified enable physical defects to be revealed, so that remedial action may be 
taken at such time as to ensure the future life of the youth being useful and 
healthy. The obligation of universal training will be an effective check on 
military jingoism by creating a sounder opinion on the realities of war. 
The possession of a navy makes it essential that naval bases and dockyards 
should be provided, and steps are being taken for such provision. The distance 
of Australia from Great Britain as a base of supplies renders it necessary to make 
local provision for munitions of war, and to this end various departmental 
