DEFENCE OF NEW ZEALAND

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27669, 27 May 1955, Page 12

DEFENCE OF NEW ZEALAND

Demands On Supplies

From Australia CLOSE LIAISON HELD VITAL

New Zealand would to a great extent depend on Australia’s raw resources and industry in time of war, and it was vital that there should be a close understanding between the two countries for common defence, said the Australian Defence Representative in the Dominion (Colonel S. G.. Bleechmore) in an interview with “The Press” yesterday. “From the day the first bomb drops, we could cut out England for the supply of equipment and maybe we could count out North America, too,” he said. “We will be back where we were last war—back on our own resources. We are now able to provide a great deal of our basic equipment because we cannot be caught again.”

Colonel Bleechmore said that, since 4948, Australia had experienced a minor industrial revolution. The country had enormous raw material

resources, and these were being exploited as far as possible. There was a big labour shortage, but this was being overcome by immigration. “Since China has emerged as a major Communist Power, South-east Asia has become a problem of almost ovfer-riding importance as far as Australia and New Zealand are concerned, from the point of view of common defence,” he said. “Australia has contributed a strategic reserve in the Far East, and New Zealand is also making a contribution. But the strategic reserve is nof the be-all and end-all.” Aircraft Production

To a large extent, equipment could be manufactured in Australia, and Australia had to be able to manufacture what she could not get easily in war time, Colonel Bleechmore said. For instance, bombers and large transports could fly out from England and the United States, but as a general rule fighters could not be flown in during war time. For this re; son. Sabres were being made in the Commonwealth; and these would soon have to be replaced to help to keep the country in a state of constant and up-to-date preparedness.

It was quite evident that th« problem had to be resolved in terms of preparedness, he said. In the last two World Wars, it had been eight or nine months before new troops could begin fighting. Under present conditions, the time could be a great deal less. “We have got to be able to raise our forces in a short time and move them to a threatened area, and we also have to equip them.” he said. Standardisation of certain equipment was of great value, said Colonel Bleechmore. Australia, New Zealand and Britain had standard ammunition and other equipment, and the nations m the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation had standardised much of their equipment.

Colonel Bleechmore’s appointment in New Zealand will terminate next year, when he will be replaced by a senior Air Force officer. At present he lives in Wellington. Mrs Bleechmore formerly practised law in Sydney, and was the first woman barrister to work in the Commonwealth Crown Solicitor’s office. They have three children.