Obstacles To Single Force

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31153, 1 September 1966, Page 16

Obstacles To Single Force

Integration of the New Zealand armed forces could not be achieved in two years without wrecking the present; complex defence structure, said the Chief of the Defence Staff (Lieutenant - General L. W. Thornton) in Christchurch yesterday. He was commenting on resnarks made last week by the former Secretary of Defence (Mr J. K. Hunn) who supported integration and who said that the Dominion's system of three separate services was “founded more on rational nride and conservat’sm and serves prestige rather than any military imperative.” Mr Hunn suggested that as L

unification lacked military support and political appeal in New Zealand it would take 20 years to achieve integration instead of two. General Thornton said much that Mr Hunn said in his address to the Economic Society of Australia and New Zealand was very good. “But it is a great deal easier to state principles than it is to produce pragmatic suggestion. Mr Hunn's views were, as I say, interesting but they were more of an academic viewpoint” With General Thornton was the new Secretary of Defence (Mr W. Hutchings) who said that Mr Hunn had made some useful points. Mr Hunn had suggested that New Zealand could follow the pattern of Canada in turning its three services into one.

Mr Hutchings said it was unfortunate that people believed things could be changed overnight They could not” The New Zealand armed services are very complex and very well run today,” he said.

Mr Hutchings said that Canada’s defence change had been planned for more than 15 years, not two. The armed services today had already achieved a certain degree of “behind the scenes” integration, said Mr Hutchings, and to a large extent Mr Hunn was responsible for it

The Ministry of Defence itself was one example. There were other integration areas under study affecting common procedures such as accounting, administration and logistics, he said. ’

General Thornton explained that the Government had already given its views on the subject in the defence White Paper. “However, it could be said that we will unify anything that does not damage operational capacity and where savings can be made.”

General Thornton and Mr Hutchings yesterday visited the R.N.Z.A.F. station at Woodbourne. Today they will visit Wigram and later will inspect Air Force housing at Weedons. Tomorrow they will visit the headquarters of the Southern Military District, Area 10, the Southern District Construction Company, elements of No. 1 Construction Squadron, and Addington barracks.

They will return to Wellington by air tomorrow afternoon.