NEW ZEALAND'S DEFENCE

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22310, 26 January 1938, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND'S DEFENCE

TO THB BDITOB OF THB I'KF.SS. Sir, —It is always informative and interesting to compare the headlines of the cable messages in your paper. Not infrequently one is tempted to deduce a great deal from them. But especially to-day a study of them seems to be particularly pertinent to the policy of our own Government. In at least four prominent cable messages, the necessity is stressed for the development of effective forces for national defence in times of war. Great Britain herself continues to pursue her rearmament programme: South Africa is inaugurating a more intensive drive for defensive security; and the United States and France are both giving considerable attention to the same question. When America, unquestionably the least militarist nation of the world, considers that the time has come when rearmament is absolutely imperative in the interests of national safety, it is surely opportune for smaller states who are comparatively inexperienced in self-government to give some reasonable attention to a very vital problem in their existence. Little practical good will result from sending fulminating delegates to peace conferences if nothing is done in the actual solution of the problem. It is futile?—and highly dangerous—to continue with defence policies which are hopelessly antiquated and inadequate in the light of present-day needs. Blindness to this fact will be of no more assistance than idealistic optimism, when some major international crisis finally calls for action—perhaps too late. Pacifism is all right in its •place—and that is< where war materials are used for purposes of aggression; however, it must admit the right of all nations to the privileges of self-de-fence. Otherwise it would negate its own avowed ideals—to give to every individual a fair measure of justice and equity, and the security of livelihood that is his to claim.

No other country is more open to attack than New Zealand; its lack of adequate defences is patent to allcomers. We in this Dominion can no longer depend upon help from the Mother Country in times of emergency. Our extreme isolation renders this impossible. Communications are still too slow for us to await events in a state of blissful torpor. If we pursue this short-sighted policy, our peaceful inactivity must bear its fruits: sooner or later, the temptation will become too great for Japan, or some other aggressive nation, and we shall find that it is at last too late to think of strengthening the defences of our country. And where will our Elysian paradise-on-earth be then?

What appears to be a thoroughly foolhardy position has developed. Every day of our lives—or so it seems —we are told by representatives of the present Government that there is plenty of money available to build such-and-such a railway, or so many State houses, or to grant a certain number of new pensions. Scenic roads are in course of construction; the very latest in machinery is employed. A new broadcasting service has been established; a conservatorium of nmsic and a powerful short-wave transmitter are to be set up. But at least one department of national activity is inadequately provided for—that of defence. What would be the utility of the Tnost ambitious public works, the best conditions for work and leisure, the most enlightened cultural institutions--what •would a modern Utopia be worth today without adequate defences to allow its people to enjoy their pleasures, unfettered by fear of invasion? —Yours, etc., SECURITY. January 25, 1938.