PARLIAMENT Second-Hand Engines In R.N.Z.A.F. Canberras

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29246, 2 July 1960, Page 14

PARLIAMENT Second-Hand Engines In R.N.Z.A.F. Canberras

(2Veu> Zeaiana Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 1. The engines in the Canberra jet bombers purchased to re-equip the R.N.Z.A.F. were second-hand and some had to be sent to Australia for reconditioning, the Minister of Defence (Mr Connolly) told the House of Representatives today. Mr Connolly had challenged Opposition members to state one item of defence equipment that had arrived in the country recently which had been ordered by the National Government. Mr J. T. Watts (Opposition, Fendalton): The Canberras.

Mr Connolly: I don’t want to talk about it this morning, but within the last 10 days I have learned the Canberras have second-hand engines. And the Canberras were ordered by the National Government in 1957. I have ordered a full report into how much more is second-hand and I can assure Opposition members they will be hearing more about it before the session is ended.

Mr Connolly said that in 1957 the Chief of the General Staff reported he was concerned at the equipment of the Army and it ■would appear that a policy of long-term re-equipment was necessary. If that course was not followed training and operational effectiveness was bound to suffer. Mr Connolly said the Labour Government then decided that £8 million should be spent on defence, and of that sum £3.3 million would be spent on the Army alone. Attacking the Opposition’s policy on compulsory military training, Mr Connolly asked: "Where does the Opposition stand on the reintroduction of compulsory military training? The Leader of the Opposition has been going round saying a National Government would reintroduce it. “Yet the deputy Leader said recently that if the volunteer system was as good as it appeared, a National Government would not interfere with it “I tell you the volunteer system has been a great success,” said the Minister. “The Territorial Force now exceeds the target of 7000 men and there are more than 300 waiting for their medical examinations.” The force had come into being in less than 15 months. “Lots of people said It could not be done, but the junior officers said it could and they have been right,” he said. “However, let us be honest,” said Mr Connolly. “No-one ever thought it could be up to full strength until 1963 and it will not be because it will not be until then that all the equipment on order reaches New Zealand.” he said. “There are groups in this country doing their level best to confuse the issue over the armed services—it is deplorable,” said Mr Connolly. Mr D. M. Rae (Opposition, Eden) said he believed Mr Connolly had done a great disservice to the country by abolishing compulsory military training. He had ended the life of a fijje and efficient system. Mr Rae said he was certain compulsory framing was the best for New Zealand. The R.S.A. was also very apprehensive about the present system. Mr Rae said S.E.A.T.O. and New Zealand’s allies had been "weakened” by the abolition of C.M.T.