DEFENCE FORCES

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21867, 21 August 1936, Page 8

DEFENCE FORCES

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS. Sir.—The fact that some people can become all jumpy at the very mention of defence matters* shows there is a need of organisation' and instruction in case of attack by a * force equipped on modem lines, when far ■worse results might be expected than in the attacks on the English east coast in the Great War, before civilt ians were given simple emergency directions. With Europe arming, there is little Jchahce of anything being available even if armaments were budgeted for, though rifles probably could be procured. When the last war began practically the only rifles iff the coum try were an old pattern purchased in .Canada the previous year at a dollar ; each—the only rifles then procurable; As the present defence vote gives so little real defence it was suggested that a fuller use be made of-the country's present resources to modernise Its defence force. ; We are told that the land force is only the skeleton of an expeditionary force division scattered over the length of the Dominion. The naval ’force is chiefly for convoy and trade route protection. If both cruisers •were engaged on trade routes there Is not much protection left in the remainder. The air Torce machines Are said to be antiquated, t If the old defence scheme, said by . -experts to be a good one, were restored, and savings made on the brass ' buttons and bands, and the attempts fried during the last year or so to encourage recruiting, and more efficient riflemen, etc., were turned out ‘ instead, any extra cost would be a - better busino proposition than the present expenditure, with its small re- ; suits. If, when trained, the men could go to a reserve of national defence companies, and district defence ■ companies were formed for the older ' men, and those who, for any reason jcould not leave their own districts, and A question was added to the annual 'registration papers asking if motor ; owners would lend them in case of national emergency, it is not hard to imagine New Zealand having a not very costly mobile defence force, ' which would act as a deterrent to attack until money is available to , modernise the country’s defences, and be an improvement on previous forces. ;Such an organisation might have its -uses in such a calamity as another " earthquake. Any sane man welcomes 5 ’organisation and leadership in such * circumstances. A country which can defend itself , is a safer field for investment, and' • Nbw Zealand may still require to raise loans in London. The recent talk of " handing over Tanganyika did not make those London business men with investments there feel any easier in - .their minds. ; New Zealand has sometimes been - called the Switzerland of the Pacific. ; Before the Great War, Switzerland had - a reputation for having an efficient de- ; fence force, with its male population trained marksmen. Its natural features ; and this force kept it an island sur? ■> rounded by war, while less well de- ; fended countries, such as Belgium in - Europe and Persia in Asia, became ‘ battlefields There is no reason why - New Zealand should not be a well ; defended Pacific Switzerland. —Yours, - etc., N.Z. August 20, 1936.