AIR DEFENCE

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21746, 31 March 1936, Page 16

AIR DEFENCE

TO TH», KMTOB. OT THS PBISS. Sir,—l was rather surprised to note from your leading article of this morning that you share the very popular opinion that the air is the be all and end-all of defence matters in this Dominion. It should be apparent that our primary role in defence or military matters will be similar to what it was in the last war, viz., sending a mixed force to the assistance of the Mother Country where she may be involved overseas. Obviously one • would not suggest the air arm should be left out of these operations, but a proportion only would be necessary. You would not suggest that the greater part of the force should consist of the air arm, surely? With regard to our own defence; if the Mother country were too involved to assist us and Australia already in the hands of the enemy—both necessary factors before an important at-, tack could be made on New Zealandthen we had best sit quietly in our homes and be as nice as possible to the invaders. I submit that our policy should be to train an efficient mixed force with the view that it would be ready to assist the Empire where needed, and to maintain a proportionately strong force of Army and Air Force units at home to act as a deterrent against such raids as may occasionally, and very seldom because of our isolated position, be made against us.—Yours, etc., NOT ALL AIR. March 30, 1936. [We did not contend, as our correspondent suggests, "that the air is the be-all and end-all" of New Zealand defence It was admitted that the Dominion has a part to play in Imperial defence, and in this matter the Government must be guided by overseas authorities. Our point was that New Zealand has to think of her own defence in the event of overseas assistance not being immediately available. A strong air force must give the best return for expenditure when this aspect of the matter is intelligently considered.—Ed., "The Press."]