Defence

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29851, 18 June 1962, Page 3

Defence

Sir, —May I suggest that the decision to spend £6 million on a new frigate, which I regard as a wicked, cruel and senseless decision, should be cancelled, and the money given to the “Feed the Hungry" campaign? Wicked and cruel and senseless because this is an enormous sum for a small country to spend on something quite futile and useless, in a world where poverty, hunger, and want are the daily lot of so many millions. Money spent on a frigate will contribute absolutely nothing to the alleviation of distress or the happiness of any part of the human family. The only enemy we have to fear is the poverty of the teeming millions of our neighbours to the north of us. If we fail to help them. to eradicate it, as their friends and neighbours, not all the frigates, hydrogen bombs, and suchlike will do anything whatever to save, protect, or defend us. —Yours, etc, PEACE. June 14, 1962. Sir.—A government that cannot afford adequate pensions for its war-disabled should concentrate on more important matters than defence before many other sections of the community have to go around with the seats out of their pants like the 100 per cent, permanently war-disabled. Mr Eyre when next in conference with his American and Australian allies should explain that until the war-disableds’ pants can at least be patched New Zealand will keep its feet on 'he ground on defence matters. Why was such full coverage, as well as an editorial, given by "The Press” to Mr Eyre’s speech at the R.S.A. conference and the speech of the Minister of War Pensions failed even to be mentioned in your paper? —Yours, etc.. COLD IN PATCHES. June 14, 1932.