EMPIRE DEFENCE

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 244, 13 July 1939, Page 10

EMPIRE DEFENCE

Contribution Toward British Navy

INCREASE ADVOCATED

Advantages Of Universal

Training

An increase in the contribution by New Zealand toward tbe support of tbe British Navy and the adoption of universal military training were two measures advocated by Mr. Allen (Opposition, Hauraki) in his maiden speech in the House of Representatives yesterday. He said that if this course were adopted it would be a gesture to the British. Empire that would stand the Dominion in good stead in the future. A strongly defended Empire was the best means of ensuring peace. There was m> more serious problem facing the Government than that of defence, said Mr. Allen, and none with which tbe members of tbe general public were more in.sympathy. Consideration bad to be given to tbe defence of tbe British Empire as well as that of these shores, for ultimately tbe defence of New Zealand might be where the defence of the Empire lay. The British Navy was their first line of defence, and’in view of the £030,000,000 to be expended in Britain on armaments, New Zealand should be prepared to offer an increased contribution toward tbe support 'f the Navy. Two-Hemisphere Tian.

Great Britain had in view a twohemisphere plan with a fleet in the Pacific, but that scheme would not come into operation till 1942. He was in favour also of a contribution toward the strength of the naval base in Singapore. Assuming that no ships were available for defence in the Pacific, New Zealand would have to full back ou tbe Air Force and its own land forces. The Government had done a great deal to strengthen (lie Air Force, but that force would probably be unequal to the task of stopping an enemy from landing in tlie Dominion.

“If enemy troops attempted to land here, land forces would be required to meet them,” said Mr. Allen, who advocated universal training for home defence. "To raise such a force a system of universal service is necessary. Universal service is more democratic than the voluntary system, and it is the duty of all young people to be prepared to defend their, country. Tbe British authorities have adopted tbe universal system, because they realize that they were at a disadvantage in tbe last war owing to the voluntary method. All the best men and the best, brains went away first, and the British nation was then at a disadvantage when the necessity for reorganization arose in the later stages of tlie war.” A Flexible System. The universal system, said Mr. Allen, was more flexible than tlie volutntnry system. It also had an excellent moral effect on the young manhood of the nation who had discipline at a time when they needed it most. It also had a tremendous moral effect on the country’s opponents, and made for continuity of training that, could not be achieved under any other system. Tlie universal system meant that leaders were being trained with troops all the time, and that the extra supply of leaders required in any emergency was always available. “I believe,” said Mr. Allen, “that if we were prepared to give an increased contribution toward the support of the British Navy and to adopt, a system of universal training we would be making a gesture to the British Empire that would stand us in good, stead in the future.”

ISSUE OF MONEY

Dependence On Volume Of

Trade

FINANCING PUBLIC WORKS

A reply Io various points raised in the no-conlidence amendment to the Address-in-Rcply motion moved by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Hamilton, was made by Dr. McMillan (Government, Dunedin West) during the debate ou (lie motion in the House of Represent a lived last night. Dealing witli the accusation that the Government had failed to promote peace in industry, Dr. McMillan said that, under the very complicated economic system that existed nowadays it was unavoidable that some sections of the community should go ahead faster than others. If one set of workers saw another going ahead more quickly than it was doing it should be patient and realize that the Government would improve its lot as soon as possible. The workers of New Zealand had been so long used to lighting the bosses for everything they wanted that they could not get out of the habit. Replying to the charge that the Goverunient was spending a record amount on the relief of unemployment, Dr. Me Millan said the Government was financing public works out of taxation, whereas the policy of the Opposition, when in ofliee, had been to borrow for that purpose. The Government believed in living within its income as far as possible, but because it was financing publicworks out of taxation the Opposition described it ns spending the money on unemployment. It was far wiser to finance as much work as possible out of current income. The Government was charged with being spendthrift. Dr. McMillan said, but if the Opiwsition believed too much was being spent, where would it effect reductions? It was also said that the London reserves were depleted, but since when had the overseas funds been described as London reserves. Those funds existed to purchase imports, and that was what they had been used for, though unfortunately they had also been used by persons to transfer capital out of the country. "The Leader of the Opposition says the strength of the Reserve Bank is exhausted.” Dr. McMillan said, "but it is actually stronger than ever, and will carry on as lone as there is an intelligent Government in this country. There is also said to be a shortage of money, but there is just as much issued now as during the term of the last Government. The issue of money is dependent on the volume of trade, which has actually been increased by the present Government.”