STRENGTH IN A NATION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 67, Issue 236, 18 July 1947, Page 2

STRENGTH IN A NATION

LORD MONTGOMERY’S FIVE POINTS STATE LUNCHEON ADDRESS l I (P.A.) WELLINGTON, July 17. . The stage has not yet been reached where war would cease to be the final act-of diplomacy, and the biggest factor for peace was a strong and united British Commonwealth and Empire. These opinions were expressed by FieldMarshal Montgomery at a State luncheon to-day.

Field-Marshal Montgomery gave five points as making for strength in a nation: the national character, a good organisation of research, a well-dis-persed and powerful industrial potential, standing forces of a size consistent with the national economy, backed by non-regular forces readily available when required, and readiness for eventualities.

The guest-3 included Cabinet Ministers, members of both Houses of Parliament, representatives of other nations, heads of the armed forces and State departments, members of the judiciary and magistracy, mayors and chairmen of local bodies, representatives of trade unions, industrial, and employers’ organisations, and other leading citizens.

Soldier and Statesman Them were only two toasts, that of the King and Field-Marshal Montgomery, which w r as proposed by the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser). The Prime Minister said Field-Marshal Montgomery occupied a very important place in \heir hearts. He was not only a great soldier, but, like another recent, visitor to New Zealand (Admiral Mountbatten), a great statesman. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr S. G. Holland) and the Maori member of the Executive Council (Mr E. T. Tirikatene) also spoke. “It was my very great honour to have under me the fighting men and women of New Zealand,” said FieldMarshal Montgomery in reply. “Of all the fighting men who served under me, and a great many did, with the exception of Russians, whom I never had the honour to command, none were finer, more splendid, or more gallant than those led by my old and trusted comrade in arms, Bernard Freyberg. “We went through many times together, most of them good times and two not so good, but the fact that I gave the 2nd New Zealand Division such important parte to play is proof of the esteem in which I held it. It was the spearhead of the battles of P2l Alamein, Mitereiya Ridge and El Agheila, when they were so successful that they got right behind Rommel and his Afrika Korps, but they were not strong enojugh to prevent him breaking out backwards. New Zealanders Never Failed “In the big Mareth battle the New Zealanders had important tasks' and they never failed to do what they were asked. They did it very well and it is going to be a great thing for me to meet a large number of them again.”

The world wanted to roach the stage where war was not the final act of diplomacy, but had not yet got to where man dv reasoning alone could put an end to war. History taught that e/vdl men arrived in the world from time to time, seized power, and tried to exert their will by force. Hitler was such a man. * “The world may seem troubled, bur I do not see in its present problems the seeds, of war,” said the FieldMarshal. “Everyone to-day wants peace, and if you want -peace you must understand war and understand that, to safeguard peace we must be strong and prepared. We must look to the British Commonwealth and Empire which, through its strength, is able to enjoy peace and security and through its purpose and singleness of mind enjoys the respect of the world.-

Sources of Strength "A great many nations feel to-day the need of strength, but what are the points which make it? As professional head of the British Army, it was my responsibility to make recommendations, and I fixed five points as making for strength in a nation. “First, there is the strength of the national character. That I put right at the top, and it is all wrapped up with youth training. “Second, a good organisation for scientific and technical research. No one can ask a Government for large sums of money to spend on rearmament schemes with weapons which must rapidly become out-of-date in keeping with scientific progress. Any nation which is miserly or niggardly in its financial allotments for scientific and industrial research is storing up trouble. It must nevertheless relate its research advances to production, or it might get caught on the rebound. . “Third, a powerful industrial potential well dispersed. This applies very much' more in the United Kingdom, which is a small island. “Fourth, no nation can afford to keep during peace very large striding armies when money is needed for housing, education and for the betterment of its people generally. It can have only regular forces consistent Avith its economy. It must put everything into the non-regular, type of force, provided that the lot can be made readily available in time' of Avar. “Fifth, forces must be prepared, and in readiness for eventualities and to strike quickly, for science has given speed to the aggressor. “But Avhat really matters in war, and in peace, is the human factor. I Avish I could sit at hiy desk just pressing buttons and getting results, but I can’t see that happening. The first Aveapon of Avar is the man, and all science is directed toivards ensuring that the man does the job better, quicker and Avith feiver casualties.” All men ivere different. He believed that, the great art of the high commander, and he once commanded 2,000,000 men, Avas to realise this. Anyone who thought all were the same Avould fail. The same thing applied in civil life and business. “Your business is politics, a very

rough and dirty game, probably more so than war,” said Field-Marshal Montgomery. “The business of politics has become professionalised by democracy. In the old days a; man could do both, but he cannot to-day. I have known no soldiers who have been good politicians or vice versa. There may be exceptions, many exceptions, but I have not met them. “I believe we soldiers and you statesmen have got to understand very carefully what each does. It Is the soldier’s job to recommend clearly what he thinks should be done, with the responsibility for the decision lying with the Ministers concerned. Field-Marshal Montgomery concluded by saying he hoped no one would be upset by the changes made in his original itinerary. When he saw it first he vehemently protested, but he finished up by undertaking to do most .of it and was looking forward with eagerness to the next 14 days. , Field-Marshal Montgomery shook hands with each of the 230 guests as they left the hall.