DEFENCE OF THE DOMINION

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21578, 14 September 1935, Page 18

DEFENCE OF THE DOMINION

(importance of Sea Sense DEPENDENCE ON BRITAIN IFrom Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, September 13. The necessity for an adequate system of defence, and the encouragement of a sea sense among young New Zealanders was emphasised by Mr W. P. Endeam (C, Parnell) during the address-in-reply debate in the House of Representatives today.

Great Britain at one time, Mr Endean said, had been the policeman of the world. He believed in peace and in the League of Nations, but with countries like Japan and the United States outside the league that organisation would have difficulty in functioning for the cause of peace. If Great Britain was to be left unarmed world peace would be threatened.

The statement made in Canada by the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes) that New Zealand would stand solidly behind Great Britain in the event of war was nothing but the truth. If Great Britain became involved in a war and was destroyed, New Zealand would lose its export market. No sensible person wanted war, but protection for hearth and home was another matter.

"We are doing astounding things at present," continued Mr Endean. "We are converting our sea-loving nation into a lot of landlubbers and cockies. The service car and the railways are driving away coastal vessels, and no opportunities for a seafaring life are available to young New Zealanders. I think,.the Government might ask the British shipping companies to consider engaging New Zealanders as apprentices." Mr Endean hoped that if the Government arranged any shipping service to the East it would see that both goods and passengers were j carried in British vessels.