Greater Defence Costs After 1971?

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32214, 5 February 1970, Page 1

Greater Defence Costs After 1971?

When Britain withdrew its forces from South-East Asia next year New Zealand would face greater defence expenditure if it maintained the same number of men in the area that it had now, the Chief of Defence Staff (Lieutenant-General Sir Leonard Thornton) said in Christchurch yesterday.

The increased cost would be mainly for administration and logistic support. He had no idea of the exact amount, he said. General Thornton dismissed a suggestion that tho Government’s review of defence plans, of which tho Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) spoke this week, would be influenced to a great extent by President Nixon’s announcement of cuts in defence spending “in the expectation that our allies will shoulder substantial responsibility for their own defence.” “This is, I think, the Prime Minister’s annual review of the defence budget. It will be at least two months before the defence picture for the next 12 months becomes clear," he said. No decision had been made on the plane for the Royal New Zealand Air Force to replace the Harvard fleet. “A Government decision on this matter would be wel-

corned,” said General Thornton. General Thornton said he believed there was a great potential for New Zealand manufacturers to compete on the Australian military equipment market. Such a development could help to offset New Zealand’s heavy defence expenditure overseas. General Thornton has been visiting military establishments in Christchurch and at Burnham.