DEFENCE FORCES

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21865, 19 August 1936, Page 7

DEFENCE FORCES

TO THE EDJTOB Of THE PEE3S. Sir, —“N.Z.,” in i his letter on the above subject, makes a well-inten-tioned plea for a' substantial increase in the defensive mechanism of this country. But he leaves much that is vital to. the discussion unsaid. Just how much is to be spent to make New Zealand safe from hjs unnamed bogeymen? Would an expenditure of several millions per annum be at all effective by itself or as part of an extension of the system of Imperial defence? Again, what sections of the community are to bear the brunt of increased taxation—the hardworking rich or the idle poor? I might point out that New Zealand is reaching the limit in - taxable capacity—that is, if present standards of living and economic progress are to be maintained. It is obvious that increased expenditure on armaments must result in curtailment of social services. Which would “N.Z.” abolish, and what would be the effects? Readers of your correspondence columns are entitled to answers to such (Questions as these. It is too easy to make extravagant claims and leave a problem half analysed. It is much more important that our hard-headed militarist and realist “N.Z.” should address himself to such questions as these before he prattles away about musketry, vehicular mobilisation, and the covetous enemies he postulates.—• Yours, etc., . ALL JUMPY. August, 18, 1936.