R.S.A. Opinion On Defence Policy

Press, Volume C, Issue 29526, 30 May 1961, Page 14

R.S.A. Opinion On Defence Policy

(From Our Own Reporter)

WELLINGTON, May 29.

The New Zealand Returned Services’ Association has mixed feelings about the Gov. ernment's proposed defence policy, as outlined in a report last evening. It is happy with the concept that regular land forces must be backed by citizen forces, and it is alarmed by suggestions that present Navy and Air Force strengths may be pruned to provide the money needed for the new scheme. "Defence is of such para-

mount importance that it must have priority for the provision of funds sufficient to provide and maintain adequate Navy, Army and Air Force establishments for the defence of New Zealand," said the president of the R.S A. (Mr K. W. Fraser) tonight.

‘‘One of the main roles of the Air Force is to provide maritime reconnaissance. Lauthala Bay is the only advance base we have for that purpose. Without it we lose a thousand miles of warning. “If we lose the Ohakeabased Canberras. what air defence have we in New Zealand? Unless we have a reasonably equipped and effective Air Force both strike and reconnaissance, what Incentive is there for youth to make the Air Force a career? It should be remembered that New Zealand sperut less a head on defence than the older members of the Commonwealth or the United States, he said.

Also on Saturday the presi. dent of the Air League referred to “the unfortunate example of large sums of money and man hours spent on what has proved to be an abortive substitute for a proper defence scheme." “Proper Scheme”

The R.S.A. believed that regular forces, adequately equipped to provide the hard core, and backed by welltrained territorial forces of sufficient numbers to provide a force immediately available to meet our treaty commitments, and provide for our own home defence, was a proper defence scheme for New Zealapd.

To New Zealand’s shame, and notwithstanding the most intensive recruiting campaign in the country’s history, the regular forces were not up to establishment. The voluntary system for the territorial forces had been tried twsce and twice failed.

Everyone must do \|hat was required. Till the country could supply and maintain regular forces of the required size, part-time citizen forces behind the regulars made the only answer.