DEFENCE OF NEW ZEALAND

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21861, 14 August 1936, Page 12

DEFENCE OF NEW ZEALAND

OFFICER COMING FROM

1 BRITAIN GOVERNMENT TO HAVE ADVICE REFERENCE TO COMPULSORY ' TRAINING [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, August 13. The statement that an officer of the Air Ministry of Great Britain had been invited and would soon be arriving to advise the Government on military aviation, and also to discuss the proposed tran-Tacman air service, was mqda in the House of Representatives to-n;g'it by the Minister for Defence, the Hon. F, Jones. Mr Jones said that, as the Prime Minister had already informed the House, the Government was in touch with the Government of Great Britain on questions of defence. Certain document -elating to defence were at present si— - et, but when the promised debate on defence problems took place in the near future, it was probable that more complete informa-tion-would be given to members, than was possible at the present time. The Minister added that it was not the fault of the present Government that the military air strength of the Dominion was not greater than it was to-day. The Government was faced with the position that the previous Government had a. plan for the development of the Royal Air Force in New Zealand, but had not carried it out. An extra flight of military aircraft was to have been provided last year. “Why were they not ordered?” asked Mr Jones. Buying New Aeroplanes The Minister added that certain provision was being .made for buying aeroplanes, but they could not be delivered for another 12 months. For that' reason, it was no use placing a sum of £ 40.000 or £50,000 on this year’s estimates when the machines would' not be a charge on the estimates until after March 31, 1037. Mr Jones said he agreed that New Zealand must have a defence plan. The last Government had bad a plan, but they had let it break down. The present Government was trying to see that wneh was spent on defence it ■was spent in the right direction. Even in. Britain, there was a difference cf opinion among expert men as to what, form. of defence was best for Great Britain—whether most reliance should be placed, on the navy, the army, or the air force. New Zealand also had a similar problem in her own defence, and there was the larger question of defence of the Empire as a whole. For that 1 reason the 'Government was cooperating with the' Government of Great Britain.

Compulsory Training

Mr H. S. S. Kyle (Na£, Riccarton) said it was all very well for the Minister to say that the last Government had not carried out its defence plan, but the real question was what the f new Government proposed to do. It was; also pleasant to observe the different attitude the Government was taking on ; defence, compared with , its opinvoiced, when in opposition. The Goverfiment could, be assured that the present- Oppositiori. was willing to cooperate in a common endeavour to strengthen the defences of this counitry, 'Mr Kyle, referring to compulsory military training, recalled that a. Labour Government had introduced it in 1911 in Australia.

Mr J. A. Lee (Govt., Grey Lynn): .We do not want that here. Mr Kyle: You are bringing out an adviser on defence and he may recommend it.

Mr Lee: I am afraid he won’t persuade us that it is necessary. Mr Kyle: I would not be surprised that when this adviser 'comes out the Labour Government will adopt compulsory military training. ' Mr Kyle asked the' Minister whether it was true, as he had heard on good authority at Wigram Aerodrome, that although the New' Zealand Air Force had bombing aeroplanes it had no bombs.

Mr Jones: We have some bombs.

Mr Kyle: Of course I can’t ask the Minister where they are, but I am glad to hear that we have bombs.