PARLIAMENT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 260, 16 August 1930, Page 3

PARLIAMENT

DEFENCE ACT AMENDMENT. DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE. (Abridged from Press Association.) WELLINGTON, August 15. In moving the second reading of the Defence (Temporary) Amendment BiU in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon, the Hon J. '•*. Cobbe (Minister of Defence) said that the work of officers and n.c.o.'s of the Department had been so well done that the country had many thousands of men who had completed their territorial training and had been transferred to the reserve, and it was possible to ease up in military training. U New Zealand or the Empire were in danger at any time, the difficulty would not be to induce men to take up arms, but to keep back, a sufficient number to carry on essential industries at home, Those who spoke or New Zealand being in a defenceless condition, if compulsion were either suspended or abolished, were belittling the spirit of patriotism of the people. The question had been raised as to why. compulsory service should not be abolished altogether, but the matter or defence was so important and the difference of opinion respecting it so sreat, that it had been thought wiser merely to suspend the compulsory clause for one year. That would enable the public to give the subject full consideration, and test the effect ot the suspension. It must not be assumed that it was intended to abandon our defence system altogether. A number of highly-trained officers and nco's would "be retained, and would form the nucleus of the force, and their services would be at once available for the training of troops should the necessity arise. Provision would also be made for the encouragement, support and efficient drilling of any volunteer corps. School Cadet corps would receive the same practical support as at present. Anticipated Savings.

Dealing with the savings it was anticipated the alteration in the policy would effect, the Minister said that the total would be upwards ot £291,000. It was hoped, to help revenue to a considerable extent by the sale of surplus military stores held at Trentham and elsewhere. These were enormously in excess of any likely future requirements, beside which .a considerable sum was being spent m keenino- perishable articles in a good condition; One of the features con. nected with stores was the enormous accumulation of small arm ammunition. A most unfortunate factor was that the Government had inherited a contract to accept further continuous supplies of this ammunition, and there, was still four and a-half years of the term of the contract unexpired. In conclusion, Mr Cobbe stated that the principal reason for the government's decision to suspend compulsory military training temporarily was the present urgent necessity for national economy.. Other reasons were public sentiment against compulsory military training, and the large number of trained men in the country at the.pieBent dav. A most regrettable feature was the necessity to dispense with a number of men who had rendered long and loyal service to the country. The Government had given careful thought to the situation, and was determined not to leave the country defenceless, but to combine economy with emc16Mr*F Waite (Clutha) favoured the appointment of a small committee to vestigate the position and recommend the most efficient organisation of f °Mi- S 'W. J. Jordan (Manukau) Mr P.' Endean (Parnell) and Mr W. &< Barnard also spoke. The Hon. W. Downie Stewart (Dunedin West) said he>d no knowledge of the negotiation or the original contract in relation to the supply, of small arm ammunition. He had noticed when Acting-Minister of Defence in 1924 that supplies exceeded requnements, and he had negotiated tor an alteration, which had in a, saving to the country of from £IB,OUO to £20,000, even allowing for the compensation granted to the company concerned. It had been beneficial to the country to undertake tlio payment of a slightly higher price for the ammunition but to reduce the supply by half He added thgjb these negotiations had been placed before the House, and had been open to the criticism ot members and of the Press They had been drawn up by the Crown Law Office and had the full concurrence of the Defence Department. , Mr S. R. Sykes (Masterton) spoke. The Hon. W. A. Veitch (Wangaimi) said that Mr Sykes seemed to contuse military training with military service. He wished to point out that no one was relieved of his responsibility to fit himself for duty, if th-s necessity arose to defend his country or any other part of the Empire. If at any time such a position arose, Parliament would immediately apply the principle of compulsory military service, there would be a nublic demand for such action. He reminded members that the Bill did not provide for the permanent suspension of compulsory military training. It was merely an experiment for one year. There already was a large number of trained men in the country, and the loss of one year s instruction would not affect the position seriously. To Meet Labour Party.

The Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates contended that compulsory military training was surely a preliminary to service. lt> must be of great importance in enabling young men to be-^ able to do their duty. He suggested that the Bill had been brought in to meet the demands of the Labour Tarty, which at the general election had declared that it stood for the volunteer system and the abolition of compulsory military training. The United Party on the other hand, had declared itself in support of the retention of the territorial system. He considered that the Government should be very cautious in interfering with that system. Why could it not have carried out the scheme of reorganisation sinvdar to that adopted in 1921, when there had been a saving of £285,000. Once the Government had released men from ti-e present obligations it would be very hard to get them back. Referring to the London Treaty, Mr Coates said that he knew it was an experiment, but some people must feel that .it was a dangerous experiment. Was Aew Zealand going as far as that, and even further than that? Replying, the Hon. J. G. Obbe said it was the intention of the Government to carry out all its obligations with respect to naval defence. That also applied to aviation. Referring to Mr Stewart's remarks Mr Cobbe said that he had not intended in any way to cast a reflection on the contract that had been made by Mr Stewart. He had been referring to the contract of i 922. The Minister refuted the suggestion that the Bill was the outcome of demands oy the Labour Party. He had

not been approached by a single member of the Labour Party. He had merely been carrying out his own ideas as he had .expressed them to the late Sir Joseph Ward when he had been invited to take over the portfolio of Defence. . - The Bill was read a second time, and its consideration in Committee was then undertaken. In answer to Mr A. M. Samuel, Mr Cobbe stated that he could not say exactly how many men would be retrenched in -the defence force. The Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates intimated that the Reform Party intended to divide the House on Clause 3 which was regarded as an attempt to introduce a voluntary system of military training. The short title was passed. The clause relating to voluntary training was reached without further discussion, and Reform members immediately called for a division. The clause was retained by 32 votes to 17. The Bill passed through Committee without amendment. It was then read a third time and passed. * The House adjourned at 0.12 a.m. till 2.30 4>.m. on Monday.