Against Conscription

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31049, 3 May 1966, Page 1

Against Conscription

(From Our Own Reporter/ WELLINGTON, May 2. Although he is convinced that a shortage of men in the Army can cause embarrassment, the former Chief of Defence Staff (Sir Peter Phipps) said today he was against the use of peace-time conscription to meet the situation. “I oppose the use of conscription in peace time,” he

said. “If 1 lived in Australia I would oppose it there, too.” The situation in Indonesia was easing, Sir Peter Phipps said, but that would result in the British reducing or withdrawing their forces, thus throwing a greater responsibility on New Zealand. He did not think New Zealand would be able to meet its commitments. “I think the situation will result in New Zealand losing the confidence of its neighbours, particularly Australia, which is already looking hard at us," he said. The New Zealand citizen should not be compelled to serve overseas to meet commitments. This was a task for the regular forces. “The country should

acknowledge that it has to make it attractive for men to serve in the armed forces,” Sir Peter Phipps said. The new pay code for the services was good because it ironed out anomalies, but it was not a substitute for overcoming the manpower shortage, he said. Plastics Show The third national plastics show will be held in the Horticultural Hall, Christchurch, in the first week in November, 1967. This was announced at the bi-annual general meeting of the Plastics Institute of New Zealand at Hamner Springs yesterday.