"NO CAUSE FOR ANXIETY” ON DEFENCE PREPAREDNESS

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29268, 28 July 1960, Page 16

"NO CAUSE FOR ANXIETY” ON DEFENCE PREPAREDNESS

■ (New Zeoimut Press Association)

WELLINGTON, July 27, . The Territorial Army in New Zealand was 7119 strong, and another 300 men were waiting for medical examinations before they joined, said the Minister of Defence (Mr Connolly) in the House of Representatives today, answering a member’s question. Two hundred and thirty had been carried over from the compulsory training period as instructors, and they would not be accepted for overseas service now because they were too old. The Minister had been asked by Mr P. B. Allen (Opposition, Bay of Plenty) whether, in view of the statement by the president of the New Zealand Returned Services’ Association that "the present state of preparedness in New Zealand is totally inadequate to meet the needs of modern warfare," he could allay the anxiety caused by the statement. Minister’s Reply In his written reply the Minister said that the present state of preparedness of the armed forces was based on the 1958 White Paper on defence, and was the responsibility of the Government in the light of the advice received from its service chiefs and from the United Kingdom service chiefs in South-east Asia and highranking officers in the Australian and United States forces. “There is no cause for anxiety,” the Minister said. “New Zealand’s security is based on co-ordinated collective defence arrangements with our allies. New Zealand is at present making a significant peace-time contribution to collective defence by providing forces from each of the services as part of the Commonwealth Strategic Reserve. Our state of preparedness is such that, if the need arose, follow-up forces could be made available immediately. The progress made in achieving

the pattern of forces outlined in the defence review has in the Government’s view, been most satisfactory.” Parade Attendances During the discussion on the reply Mr D. J. Eyre (Opposition, North Shore) said that the Returned Services’ Association was deeply concerned at the country’s state of defence. He wanted the figures of the attendances at parades and annual camps. He had been told that out of a strength of 950 in the 12th Heavy Ack Ack Regiment only 208 had attended the annual camp at Papakura. and that out of 23 officers and 150 other ranks of the First General Hospital only two officers, five non-commissioned officers, and one private had attended. “I would be happy if those figures are incorrect,” said Mr Eyre. The 12th Heavy Ack Ack Regiment, the Minister said, had never had any paper strength. Its active strength on March 31, was 263. Two hundred and six men had completed training in the previous 12 months of compulsory training —32 officers and 174 other ranks. “The member is trying to pour cold water on the Government and on the officers of the Government,” said the Minister. “Recruiting officers have spent nights and weeks away from their own homes in their work.” By March 31 next year there would be 8000 Territorial Force men in this country—looo more than expected in 1958, he said. An attempt was being made to create fear in the minds of the people, said Mr Connolly. Members of the Opposition were trying to show that the policy being pursued was not the correct one. “It’s not playing the game. No matter what party is the Government next year, the advice given will be to follow policy being put into force at the moment,” said the Minister. “That is the advice tendered to me today. I am satisfied that we are on the right lines.’ ’