‘Not Enough Concern About Defence’

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31499, 13 October 1967, Page 16

‘Not Enough Concern About Defence’

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, October 12.

New Zealanders as a whole showed little evidence of a genuine concern for the defence of the country, said the Chief of the Defence Staff (Lieutenant-General Sir Leonard Thornton) tonight.

Making the presentations of the “Three Outstanding Young Men” awards at a Jaycee convention in the Town Hall, Sir Leonard Thornton, said he was dismayed at this attitude.

I “I am afraid that univeri sally our efforts do not extend to such vital matters and we are inclined to leave the solution to the Government.” Sir Leonard Thornton said that in his travels in other countries he had been impressed by the intense feelings demonstrated by the people toward issues of national concern.

“I sometimes ask myself what my countrymen feel strongly enough about that they would wish to risk every-

thing and I must admit that there is very little of consequence.

“What do we believe in in any burning sense?” he asked. “Our concern does not seem to extend towards the creation of a new image for ourselves in the world or to the repair of our damaged trading position.” Negative Reaction

Sir Leonard Thornton said he was convinced that New Zealand was a nation of tremendous conscience in a social sense. Strong feelings were aroused if someone was seen to be suffering from injustice but, however commendable, this was negative. “We are capable of feeling but we do not seem capable of raising this feeling to an intelligent collective expression.”

He said the country suffered from inertia which was not necessarily sloth but rather

the other definition—motion in a straight line. “There is a certain lack of urgency," he said. “No Leadership” There was a need for developing a reputable singularity rather than average conformity. He commended the Jaycee movement on initiating the awards which, he said, recognised the need for intelligent leadership within the community and the need to recognise young men of outstanding ability.