DEFENCE NEEDS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 185, 6 August 1936, Page 8

DEFENCE NEEDS.

MEW ZEALAND BACKWARD. ANTI-AIRCRAFT PRECAUTIONS. While expressing satisfaction that the Government has adopted an active policy of defence, with precedence given tc the Navy, local Air Force second, and land forces third, a retired senior military officer this morning urgd that the Government should push on with its scheme as much as possible. It was quite time that action was taken, it was stated, as it would need years of organisation before an adequate, sound scheme could be completed "A defence scheme has been so long delayed tliat it is just a question now ■whether it will not be too late," he declared. "Again, I don't think that £00,000 will be enough to repair the backward state of our defences. New Zealand has been slipping back for years, and it will take a number of years before a sound scheme can be put into operation. I think, though, that the Government is proceeding on sound lines, and is quite right to give precedence to the Navy, with the Air force, for local defence, and land forces following in that order."

Disappointment was expressed at what was considered the comparatively small allowance for defence. A great deal more would be necessary to restore New Zealand's defences to a sound footing. Of course there had been in the Budget statement only a general outline of the Government's proposal?, and a more comprehensive statement would be eagerly awaited. It was also considered that the increased amount was likely to lie spent in anti-aircraft gun equipment, and in . ccaslal defence. \