Greater Freedom Wanted For Defence Statements

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30828, 13 August 1965, Page 12

Greater Freedom Wanted For Defence Statements

A request to the Government to allow chiefs of staff greater freedom in making public statements, will be recommended to the Dominion conference of the Air ' Force Association. At the annual meeting of the Canterbury branch of the association last evening the Dominion vice-president (Mr R. E. Clark) said that the heads of the armed sendees should be allowed to express personal opinions on questions relating to the re-equip-ment and staffing of their respective services. Mr Clark said there had been considerable indignation and resentment over the recent reprimand of the Chief of Air Staff (Air Vice-Marshal I. G. Morrison) for giving his professional opinion on the future needs of the R.N.Z.A.F. It was considered that persons in such positions of responsibility—as indirect representatives of the taxpayers —should be free to tell the public of their expert assessment of such situations, he said. The meeting considered two remits for the Dominion conference of the association which will be held in Christchurch in October. The first remit, which was

carried, was: “That in view of the statement by the Minister of Defence (Mr Eyre) that more be spent on defence in time for New Zealand to have the equipment it needs, the association urges the Government to reexamine the allocation of monies for defence.” The second remit which sought the reformation of the! territorial squadrons once the combat squadrons had been re-equipped was lost. It was suggested that equipment used by the Air Force today was very complex and week-end training would be of little if any use towards promoting greater efficiency. A resolution supporting the Government action in sending troops to South Vietnam was passed. It was also suggested that the re-equipping of an operational squadron should now be given the highest priority. The following officers were elected: president, Mr L. G. Merrin; vice - presidents. Messrs W. Leader and W. Reynolds; secretary, Mr F. G. Connolly: executive, Messrs W. MeKenzie, S. Parker, K. Williams, C. Taylor, R. E. Clark, B. McMaster, O. MeSherry, A. Carey, L. Heath. J. McNaughton, Mrs Z. Lennon and Miss J. Palmer.