CO-OPERATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 186, 7 August 1936, Page 9

CO-OPERATION.

OFFER BY OPPOSITION. SHADOW OF WAR CLOUDS. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Thursday, j An offer to co-operate with the Government in an examination of the defence forces was made by Mr. Coates ill the House to-night on behalf of the Opposition. Mr. Coates said that every member 011 the Opposition side of the House desired to approach the question of national defence in a non-party and nonpolitical spirit.

It might be asked, said Mr. Coates, why the last Government had not provided more adequately for defence. It had been only about twelve months ago that the clouds had really appeared on the horizon. The wind was now blowing them in all directions, and they might come New Zealand's way. He hoped that it would be possible to reconstitute the League of Nations so that it could become a powerful factor in the settlement of national disputes. Some might say that nothing could happen to New Zealand, but he thought it safe to say that the Dominion was just as likely to be involved in difficulties if there was a war as any other portion of the Empire. Mr. Coates asked whether New Zealand was prepared even for its own defence. In the Budget it was proposed to spend approximately £250,000 more than in the previpus year. It was essential to get the best results from the sum voted. "I would say without hesitation that as far as it is possible for the Opposition we offer Our ready assistance on this one question," he said. "We will assist either separately or collectively for the purpose of seeing that we get the best results." Mr. Coates said that there must be thorough protection of Empire routes. Great Britain had taken definite steps in respect of the Air Force, the Navy and internal defence. Was New Zealand to stand by and see Great Britain I making these preparations and not feel I that there was some real reason for it V The British Commonwealth of Nations was willing to do its best within it 3 resources to maintain the principles that the Empire stood for, and New Zealand should co-operate as far as possible with the United Kingdom and with Australia in an endeavour to evolve the best possible policy. Mr. Coates said that he did not think it could be denied that if trouble arose now there would be difficulty in getting transports through areas where submarines or air forccs operated. Mr. Coates asked whether the New Zealand Air Force was satisfactory, and whether it would be possible tq get more modern machines from England of the battle patrol type. Would New Zealand l}e prepared to send men up in the machines that New Zealand now possessed. Every returned soldier knew what had happened to pilots who had gone up in the old type of machines, and in the last war many a heart'had sunk when witnessing an "old bus'? being brought down without a "scrap." > 'V Mr. Savage thanked Mr. Coates for his offer and said it would not be overlooked.. He said he wished to assure him that when the Government spent money on defence it would be real defence. Spending money was one thing and making provision for defence was another thing. The Government was in constant touch with the Mother Country on the question and if members of the Opposition helped he would be delighted to accept their assistance.