DEFENCE OF THE DOMINION

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21967, 16 December 1936, Page 12

DEFENCE OF THE DOMINION

"Government Doing Its Duty"

IMPORTANCE OF -HIGHER POPULATION

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEOHAM.) PALMERSTON N., December 15. "There is no need for defence leagues to show the Government its duty; I have every reason to believe that there is complete unanimity between the British and New Zealand Governments. So far as the British Government is concerned, we are doing our duty in this country." This assurance was given by the Hon, W. E. Barnard, Speaker of the House of Representatives, at a large gathering last night of Rotarians and business men generally, in an address on immigration and defence. Mr Barnard said that the question of adequate defence was one with which the Government was sincerely concerned. In the coming year there might be a definite indication of the Government's view of the defence of New Zealand's soil. No one was entirely satisfied with the existing means. "It may not be true that God is on the side of big battalions, but there is no question that a virile people has an advantage over people grown old and stale," he added. "The British nation is anything but a spent force and is not on the down grade, but no nation that is to be permanently prosperous can ignore the injunction to be fruitful and multiply. Reliance on British Navy "It has been agreed for many years that our right to occupy New Zealand and to keep out others is dependent on the strength of the British Navy. In the last few years it has become apparent that if Britain were to be heavily involved in Europe and Asia, or Europe alone, we could not rely on the naval arm as in the past. "Strong nations complain that they are cramped for room, and they look round with envy. We might spend millions yearly on defence, but we should not thereby make the country safe if we did not build up our population. The Prime Minister has declared that population is the best form of defence. I support him heartily. "While we must see to defence as far as is reasonable and practical, it is our clear duty to ourselves and the outside world to fill up the vacant spaces and not remain a dog in the manger," added Mr Barnard. "We are still free to choose whom we shall admit, but it may not remain for our children or our grandchildren to choose also." Immigration Policy At another stage of his address Mr Barnard, referring to immigration, said that a large-scale plan was more likely to succeed under a radical government than under one with conservative tendencies. Migration on a worth-while scale would mean preparedness for governmental interference in industries, and a certain amount of control also. There was a price to be paid for pursuing a large scale policy. He looked hopefully to the present Government. Not much* consideration had yet been possible, but the very urgency of the* matter demanded that it be faced at no distant date. In the meantime, it was necessary to educate the population to the urgency of the matter and to conduct research in efforts to secure a formula. Mr Barnard added his personal view of defence precautions. They were essential, he said, for home defence. He did not favour, and he believed that the women of New Zealand were of the same opinion, sending an expeditionary force to some remote part of the world.