Preparedness Urged On New Zealand

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31501, 16 October 1967, Page 12

Preparedness Urged On New Zealand

Some New Zealanders might wish to believe that life for all would be prosperous and they could look to others if necessary for the country’s defence, Mr R. R. Livingstone said when proposing a toast to the regiment at a reunion dinner on Saturday of southern districts of the New Zealand Divisional Cavalry Regiment Association.

“Daily we are losing friends and protectors and becoming more like orphans naked facing an oncoming storm,” he said. "Our land is worth defending, will need to be defended, and now is no time for complacence.” The cost of defence might be great, but the consequences of defeat and resultant captivity were not something any self-respecting New Zealander was prepared to accept. “Some would have us believe there are worse fates than being overrun by an enemy," Mr Livingstone said. “Those of us who have seen the fates of conquered peoples would not wish any members of our families to suffer similar fates. “We who have seen and learned by experience have a duty to pass on to others our knowledge, which is of a type not obtainable in peace-time, but only results from participation and association with war, defence, victory and defeat.

“Any man who has not volunteered to serve his country in its defence in time of war and not risked his life for the protection of his fellow men has never fully lived or experienced the depth of friendship which members of the regiment all know. “Not Pleasant" : “War is not a pleasant busiiness, but it is a part of life Ito be prepared at some time ■to be counted for or against fundamental requirements of ■our existence," he said. The young men and women of New Zealand today were no less courageous or entert prising than those of World War 11, Mr Livingstone said. “It is our responsibility to help them to make the best use of their talents and to ensure that they are fully equipped and supported in their endeavours to defend our heritage from attack from wherever it may come.” Quoting from “New Zealanders and the Boer War,” he said: “The future comes not from before to meet us, but streams up from behind over our heads.”

Tracing the regiment’s history, he said it really began for Canterbury not in 1939 but 103 years ago when the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry was formed. The C.Y.C. hat badge bore the date 1864 and the motto

“Pro Focis et Pro Patria” (for hearth and home). Men of wisdom and vision knew and saw the need to be willing, prepared and equipped to protect if need be the hearths and homes of the people. “The need is again clear for those willing to recognise the facts of life,” Mr Livingstone said. There were about 100. including wives, at the reunion, the committee for which was Messrs E. Chambers, president, J. Adams, T. Bradford, G. Davidson, G. D. Dodson, A. Dyer, L. W. Fisher, L. Jesson, Livingstone, M. G. L. Loughnan, E. Monk, M. Vincent, J. W. Wardell and J. Wilkinson.