Patrol cuts defended

Press, 7 September 1981, Page 4

Patrol cuts defended

Parliamcntary reporter Cuts of 25 per cent in patrols by Royal New Zealand Navy fisheries surveillance vessels and H.M.N.Z.S. Taranaki will have no effect on New Zealand’s defence capabilities, the Minister of Customs (Mr Templeton) has said on'behalf.of the Minister of Defence. He was asked by Mr M. A. Connelly (Lab.. Yaldhurst) whether the 25 per cent cut in spending to produce sav-

ings of between $l3 million and $l4 million would affect A.N.Z.U.S. powers against Soviet build-up in the region. Mr Templeton said that although the 1981-82 defence vote represented a real increase of 9 per cent in the previous year, the Ministry of Defence was required, in common with other departments, to cut costs. It had made its cuts in the least troublesome area — operating costs — but was maintaining equipment and

manning levels. The cut in fisheries patrols, although it represented a reduction in operational effectiveness, would not have the long-term repercussions on defence capabilities that would result from cuts in other areas. The Minister of Fisheries had been consulted about the cut. and would work with the Minister of Defence to maintain air patrols and other systems, used in controlling the Exclusive Economic Zone.