DEFENCE PLANS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 277, 22 November 1934, Page 16

DEFENCE PLANS.

SAFETY OP EMPIRE.

SIR MAURICE HANKEY'S TOUR. ARRIVAL IN WELLINGTON. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) / WELLINGTON, this day. With the object of holding important conversations with the New Zealand Government on the question of Empire defence, Sir Maurice Hankey, secretary of the Imperial Committee of Defence, and Sir George Pearce, a member of the Australian Government, arrived at

Wellington yesterday afternoon by the Wanganella from Sydney. • They arc accompanied by Mr. A. E. Leigh ton, Commonwealth Controller - General of Munitions, and Mr. F. Shedden, secretary of the Commonwealth Defence Committee.

The visitors were met by the Minister of Defence, the Hon. J. G. Cobbe, RearAdmiral Burges. Watson, commodore of the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy, Major - General Sir William Sinclair-Burgess, general officer commanding the New Zealand Military Forces, Squadron-Leader T. M. Wilkes, Director of Air Services, and other Departmental officials.

When interviewed Sir Maurice Hankey said he preferred not to comment on any aspect of his mission.

Sir George Pearce said that discussions between Sir Maurice Hankey and the Australian Government on matters affecting Imperial defence had been most valuable, and he thought the consultations which would take place in New Zealand would be of equal value. Among the problems that would be discussed would be the question of co-operation and co-ordination between New Zealand and Australia on defence matters.