DEFENCE OF N.Z.

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30157, 14 June 1963, Page 10

DEFENCE OF N.Z.

Comment By Air League

“Another frigate for the Royal New Zealand Navy shows a welcome awareness of the need for defence of New Zealand and fulfilment of its treaty and territorial responsibilities by means of a force in being," says Mr H. A. Foster, president of the Christchurch branch of the Air League of New Zealand.

“However, we qfe disturbed that, as yet. there is no mention of replacement or augmentation of the Royal New Zealand Air Force Sunderland®, without which the radius of action and effectiveness of a ‘Maritime Force in Being’ is very much reduced.” he said.

“For the last two years the maritime element of the R N.Z.A.F. has been smaller than we consider necessary for the efficient discharge of treaty and territorial obligations and the league has drawn attention to this deficiency on previous occasions.

“We would emphasise that, unless the maritime striking power of the R.N.Z.A.F. is maintained, and its effectiveness increased, surface forces are seen as experiencing some difficulty in carrying out their tasks. “Surface forces are necessary as an adjunct to, not a replacement tor, the flexibility and smiting power of airborne maritime forces in being, and with . our necessarily small defence component these factors of flexibility and striking power are of paramount importance, more particularly with reference to our geographical situation,” said Mr Foster.

Signals Base.—The leader of the Australian Labour Party, Mr A. A. Calwell, said last night he would assure President Kennedy that his party would not repeal the agreement for the Arne icri naval communications base at North-west Cape.—Sydney, June 12.