STRONGER DEFENCE SOUGHT BY R.S.A.

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32017, 18 June 1969, Page 32

STRONGER DEFENCE SOUGHT BY R.S.A.

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, June 17.

Time had shown that the background paper on defence policy published last year as a basis for discussion was realistic, the Dominion president of the Returned Services Association (Sir Hamilton Mitchell) told the annual conference in Wellington today.

“We remain secure only so long as we accept our fair share of the cost of collective security for the area in which we live,” Sir Hamilton Mitchell said in his annual report.

The association welcomed the “surge forward” in the provision of modern equipment for the services—a further modern frigate, substantial additions to the Air

Force, and a partly-equipped combat brigade. However, although this was encouraging, the association’s .role of watchdog remained. “It is disheartening to find that the services not only remain below their respective White Paper establishments, but also below their ceiling levels (why ceiling levels should be imposed on the services is beyond our comprehension). “But by far the most disturbing feature is that the ser-

vices cannot recruit even up to their establishment.” Sir Hamilton Mitchell said he believed that somewhere the conditions of service were lagging behind the conditions of civilian life. The association’s aim was to find the remedy which would make a career in the services so competitive that not only would they reach establishment but they would also be selective. The Government could demonstrate its intention of pursuing an active defence policy by Increasing the defence vote. At present defence spending had fallen “far behind” the principal areas of Government expenditure.

Welfare Move

On the question of welfare, Sir Hamilton Mitchell said the association welcomed the Government’s decision to review the social security system.

The beneficial effect of the agreement on regular war pension reviews had been demonstrated.

“The pensioner knows where he stands and the Administration knows that, by adhering to the formula, injustice is avoided for those suffering from a disability attributable to service, and to the war widow,” he said.