DEFENDING N.Z.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 32, 8 February 1939, Page 15

DEFENDING N.Z.

"TIME AGAINST US." CITIZEN FORCE, URGED. HEED FOR SPEED STRESSED. (By Telegraph.— Press Association.) HASTINGS, this day. "Since the Government assumed office it has devoted time and money to the improvement of the Dominion's defence," said the Hon. W. E. Barnard, Speaker of the House of Representatives, addressing a crowded meeting at Napier last night on the subject of New Zealand defence. With the object of stimulating interest in defence matters lie su<r<*estpd the formation of a citizen defence army of 20,000 men on a voluntary basis, aided by a ballot among eligible men for service in districts not filling the volunteer quota.

"The naval arm has been strength - ened, end the air force is developing under a well-defined and progressive plan," he continued, "but in respect to the land forces the policy of the Government has not been fulfilled. Not only is this so, but it is now questionable whether that policy is enough, even if complemented to the full in the light of the international situation, which almost daily grown more dangerous to the peace bf the world."

After discussing the reasons for the apathy of the public and youth to the call for enlistment in the land forces, Mr. Barnard said New Zealand was not sufficiently appreciative of the necessity for defence. •

"We tend as a people to be so engrossed in domestic matters: —guaranteed prices, social security, awards, Import restrictions —that we have little time to devote to the international problems, yet these might at any moment tak;e a turn and throw domestic concerns in the shade," he declared. Not So Remote. "Let Uβ not try to seek serious comfort by recalling our distance from the scene of events. Each world flight of bombing 'planes sees the space dividing us from the rest of the world shrink

further. \We are not bo remote from Japan which—to put it mildly—could not be reckoned a friendly or even a neutral power in the event of a European war involving the British Empire," Mr. Bernard continued. "I have no doubt that if Great Britain is at war New Zealand will also be involved in war, and Britain is straining every nerve and every resource to rearm agahist what appears to be a matte/ of time. "Anyone who reads the daily newstaper with average care cannot fail to >e impressed with the growing menace of States hostile to democracy —States whose lust for territory and power increases the more it is indulged," he continued. "For the sake of so-called appeasement we ■watched and consented to the sacrifice of Spain. We aided and abetted in the sacrifice of Czechoslovakia. We do nothing except write an occasional futile Note Japan wages a horrible war on soldiers and civilians in China, men, women and little children alike. Co-operate, or Else. "About a fortnight ago the Premier of Japan was reported to have Raid, 'I hope that the Chinese realise Japan's policy is enabling co-operation. If they fail to understand we have no alternative but to exterminate them.' "What are we to do if some day Japan demands co-operation on her own terms from Australia and New Zealand?,, asked Mr. Barnard. "I touch on these things, not to try to create a scare; still less to create ill-will towards any foreign people; but to indicate briefly the crying need to rouse ourselves from our present apathy and unconcern. "Our concern should be to inspire every man and woman to support a proper policy scheme for home defence, which will provide adequate numbers of citizen soldiers, and an effective system of military training. Declarations of war are out of date. It will be too late to train men after the first gun has been fired and the first bomb dropped. -.....» t j "Are the territorials sufficient T" asked Mr. Barnard. About two years ago, he eaid, it was decided that a well-traine and balanced force of 9000 territorial would suffice for the defence of the Dominion. The country had a little over 8000 territorials, and it would be safe to say that perhaps not more than one-fourth might be regarded as efficient soldiers. It was no good playing at soldiers. Nine thousand fully-trained men might have been enough for two years ago, but it was not enough to-day. "My own view," added Mr. Barnard, "which is shared by some responsible people, "ie that we should aim at traininsr not less than 20,000 men af a time for home defence purposes. Older and

mature men should be found in the defence forces. Their presence there in numbers would provide most convincing examples to the younger men. Suggested Qualifications. "Besides this, the natural leaders of the community, who are to be found among the older men would, in many cases, furnish the leadership required in the development and maintenance of a citizen army, which the country needs. Let the age of enlistment be a minimum of 20 years, and the only maximum and fitness for home defence the ability to pass the doctor. "We ought not to be content to pass the responsibility on to youth as we are doing to-day." The question arose, continued Mr. Barnard, how to get the 20,000. There was small hope of recruiting them voluntarily. He did not think any general or "blanket" provision for compulsory service in peace time was required. The whole Dominion could be divided into suitable districts, centring As much as

possible upon city or town; and a definite and continual quota could be required of each district. Mayors, chairmen of county councils and other local representatives would be urged to use their efforts to secure the necessary quotas. Healthy, rivalary in citizenship would thereby be encouraged. All "would be voluntary, but there would be a provision that any district which failed to find or maintain its quota would be compelled to make tip the deficiency, the shortage being made up through, say, a ballot of men between selected ages. No district would wish to have compulsion applied and each would endeavour to find its quota, probably with success in every instance. "There is no time to be lost," urged Mr. Barnard. "It will take time to build up such a citizen force as I have roughly sketched. Time is against us. We cannot afford to procrastinate or merely tinker about with defence." The meeting passed a resolution advocating Government action in training every fit man in defence of the country, along the lines of Mr. Barnard's suggestions. Mr. Barnard undertook to see that

the resolution was placed before the Government and to push the matter forward with urgency.