DEFENCE PROBLEM

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 46, 18 November 1936, Page 12

DEFENCE PROBLEM

New Zealand’s Way of Tackling It ‘EARNEST & RESOLUTE’ Marquess of Hartington's Praise Dominion Special Service. Auckland, November 17. "The earnest and resolute" way in which he said the New Zealand Government was tackling the defence problem was commended bj’ the I arliameniarv Under-Secretary of Slate for Dominion Affairs, the Marquess ot Hartington, in his address at a chic reception in Auckland. The matter was brought up by tin. mayor of Mount Eden. Mf. T. who remarked that New Zealanders were loval to a man, although the Dominion might be lagging in regard to defence a change was coming over tm; people, and they were demanding that proper measures be taken. Speaki g as an ex-soldier,” he added. "I can sa that we realise that only through defence can peace be secured. Me ar. part of the Old Country, we are proud of being so, and we can be relied upon in future.” , ... ‘*lt is inspiring to see how much defence is in the minds of New Zealand people.” said the Marquess in his reply ‘‘Ton in New Zealand are as fat a s i s humanly possible immune from external attack. What your future would be if the Empire shou. < suecumb to external assault i.s anothti matter. Although you are almost completely immune you realise that conditions in Europe are unsettled, and that to be prepared for emergencies is the only means of security. For that reason you are preparing your defences, just as you have nobly assisted in rhe defence of the Empire in the past. The Marquess said that he was optimistic of the future so long as the Dominions and the Old Country were united in regard to defence. Unfortunately there Had been utterances such as those of people who declared that on no condition would they be to fight for their count!J. Counsel of this sort was the surest wav to prepare for trouble. ‘‘You realise that you must take up the burden of arms, and it is a heavy one not in any spirit of militarism, continued Eord Hartington, "but because you have learned a lesson which has been painfully brought home to us through the failure of other countries to reduce their armaments that it is necessary, if the institutions we most value, peace and liberty, are to be preserved then we must be prepared to fight for them. If we are not prepared the necessity to fight may arise. It is inspiring to see your Government tackling the problem in so earnest and resolute a way.” At the reception the s|teeclies oi welcome were made by the mayor. Mr. E. Davis, the Hon. F. .Jones, Post-master-General, Mr. McNab, mayor of Mount Eden, and Professor Worley, Royal Empire Society. Eord Hartington said that he and Eady Hartington had had a wonderful time in New Zealand. The Dominion was justly famed for its hospitality. There was much in New Zealand that England would do well to copy.

Subsequently the visitors were entertained at luncheon as guests of the mayor.

During the forenoon Lord Hartington visited the air base at Ilobsonville. This afternoon he visited the naval base at Devonport. and later he and Lady Hartington left by the Awatea for Sydney. The Minister of Defence. Hon. F. Jones, and Mrs. Jones, who accompanied Lord and Lady Hartington on their visits to the Maikato and Auckland, returned south by train.

KNOWLEDGE GAINED Work Will Assume New Significance Bv Telegraph—Preise Association Auckland, November 17. "I now know more of your problems and your aspirations.” sjiid the Marquess' of Hartington, replying to a welcome from the Auckland branch of the Royal Empire Society. It was like coming home, he said, to see the Dominion landscape, which, except for tlie beautiful mountains, was characteristically English. His work for rhe Dominion' would assume a new significance in the light of his personal experiences. i "The British Empire is tlie greatest safeguard for world peace,” said Lord Hartington. "If we are to preserve the liberty of mankind it is of vital importance that we preserve the cohesion. solidity and co-operation of the Empire."