N.Z. Party defence policy defended

Press, 15 January 1986, Page 23

N.Z. Party defence policy defended

PA Tauranga New Zealand can no longer influence events by physical intervention, said the New Zealand Party’s spokesman on defence, Mr Mike Batchelor.

He was replying to recent criticism of the party’s defence policy by a party founder and candidate for the next election, Mr Earle Thompson. Mr Thompson said he could no longer support the party’s defence policy. He said it was imperative that New Zealand stay in A.N.Z.U.S. and maintain a high-profile defence force. Mr Batchelor said New Zealand’s power to influence events by physical intervention were non-existent.

“We can exert only a moral influence,” he said.

“The New Zealand Party believes that such a moral

influence must be stronger if it is seen to come from a country which is not committed by formal alliances to one side or the other.” Mr Batchelor said the main threats to New Zealand and its way of life were internal. “Civil defence and disaster relief organisations are in tatters.

“Many voluntary service organisations, so long typical of the New Zealand way of life, cannot cope with the demands of modern society.

“Crime and violence are an increasing threat to every home. The old values have not been replaced with a new sense of either national or individual discipline.”

It was in those areas that the country’s need for “defence” was greatest, Mr Batchelor said.