More Pay, Not Conscription

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30680, 20 February 1965, Page 1

More Pay, Not Conscription

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, February 19.

In spite of “quite serious deficiencies” in the strength of the New Zealand Regular Army, there is no question of introducing compulsory military service at present.

This was stated by the Minister of Defence (Mr Eyre) today.

He had been asked if the Government was considering reintroducing a conscription system such as the system introduced in Australia recently.

"We are considering ways of attracting more recruits to the Regular Army—and of retaining them on long-service

engagements,” said the Minister.

“We hope that measures to be adopted—such as improvements in pay and conditions of service—will be effective, and in the meantime at least, there is no question of the introduction of compulsory full-time service.

“A review of pay and service conciliation is being done by the Ministry of Defence at the moment,” he said. Mr Eyre said the National Service scheme was “running well” and met New Zealand’s requirements for the supply of trained men to the territorial force.

South-east Asia warranted greatly increased defence expenditure, Mr Eyre replied: “It warrants prudent provision against future contingencies in South-east Asia and elsewhere.

“Whatever money we spend on defence today is an insurance against the future.”