Defence Of New Zealand

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 6, 2 October 1937, Page 7

Defence Of New Zealand

Sir, —I heartily agree with the Dunedin R.S.A. when they say that the provision made for defence by the Government is totally inadequate. Our first line of defence is the navy. Of this there is no doubt at all. The navy in the Western Pacific is not sufficiently strong.

According to Hector Bywater, the British Government contemplates, at an early date, enlarging the fleet in these waters to required standards and size. One of the requirements is for large, powerful swift battle-cruisers, or battleships, besides other craft, and a vastly extended fleet air arm. New Zealand should have arrangements completed ere this with Great Britain for doing our part in the building up of such a fleet, which is an essential to our national existence. The co-operation of Australia in this ought to be sought. Canada's co-operation ought to be sought for the establishment of adequate naval forces in British Columbian waters. Great Britain has a defence armament plan costing some £1.500,000,000. On a per capita basis New >7ealand’s contribution should be some £50,000,000 over the same period of years; if we could not find so large a sum, something approximating thereto should be aimed at. Such a programme would mean the raising of loans in Great Britain. Our economy and our very national existence are so indissolubly bound up with Great Britain that such a course has nothing undesirable in it; indeed, on the contrary, it would enhance our position in Great Britain. But what do we see? We see the Labour Government making provision for a miserable pittance of some £1,600,000 for defence. They contemplate establishing a pigmy land force and a tiny air force that would be instantly brushed aside. There is no indication that the Government has 'any real grasp at all of the great and pressing problem of national defence. It is doubtful whether they have any real idea of how it is a matter of time, a race with time.—l am, etc., D. SUTHERLAND. Wanganui, September 30.