DEFENCE FORCES

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 35, 10 August 1934, Page 7

DEFENCE FORCES

HOME OE OVEBSEAS?

LABOUR INQUIRIES

A brief discussion on the annual report of tho Def enco Department took placo in tho Houso of Eepresentativcs yesterday afternoon, and 'was interrupted by tho tea adjournment after tho Minister had replied to certain points raised by members of the Opposition, Mr. W. E. Barnard (Labour, Napier) , said that ho had noticed a decision by tho Government to strengthen the (lefonco forces, and ho asked tho 1 Minister to give an indication of tho general policy that was being pursued. "We find that defence is made to cover many tilings," said Mr. Barnard, "and in tho opinion of some people tho important part of the dot"enco of New Zealand- is ithe preparation for tho sending of an expeditionary force overseas. ■ Tho Minister shakes his head. lam glad to see that does." Bccently members of Parliament had witnessed a 'display at Trentham, and one of the events was the firing of some Stokes mortars which had a short, range and wero used in trench warfare. One could not envisage the mortars being used in tho defence of: New Zealand. What was tho object of importing Stokes mortars? What was in the mind of tho Government? Tho Hon. W. Downio Stewart (Government: Duncdin West): What is your idea1' " RATIONS," Mr. Barnard: Rations. Tho hon. mombcv knows that the soldiers were never sent in the firing line on empty stomachs, but there arc many empty stomachs* today. My conception of the defexjco of New Zealand does not involve sending New Zealand forces overseas for aptivo service. "What is the hon. member, for Duncdin West's idea?" asked Mr. J. A. Leo (Labour, Grey Lynn). "Tho hon, member has progressed by negatives. Ho reads and listens, but for what purpose—to refute., Not ono constructive act Has come from him. Mr. Lee added that Mr. Stowart had visioncd tho destructive'policy: of tho Government, and it would be interesting, to know, whether he. had any con-structive-ideas on defence "What does ho stand for?" said Mr. Lee. "He won't say what he stands for, but he will throw verbal dead pats at us. Personally.l liko.-to-seo him studying tho Labour viewpoint in tho hopo that the studies may find root, even in that barren .territory." .Mr. Leo said that ho noticed that the greatest caro was taken of tho guns'at Trentham. The temperature of the room in which they . were housed was kept at such a heat that tho guns would not sweat. The men who wero training at the camp wero in magnificent physical condition. They were' fed, housed, and clothed, and if they were ill ■ great care was taken of them. If there was anything wrong with their liver "they wero given a: N(> 9." But' the. position was entirely different when it came to the discharged soldier, who after all had done' something for the defence of New Zealand. Tho best defence New Zealand could have was a healthy and expanding population, and tlio only -ivay that could be brought about was t6 improve tho standard'of living. 1 Mr. B.; Semplo (Labour, 'Wellington East): Give tho peoplo something worth fighting for. Mr. Leo said that ho, too, had been interested in tho Stokes mortars, and hoped that men would not bo sent to .'Europe, §gain •to rnako^ the world o. :JB^f4e'm6pro^'^uTFeiyl&b Tw'arl TtS'i Sci .war "was not going to be followed by another war to end .war. , One of the means_.of improving tho def enco system of New Zealand was to--develop. ■ the iron industry.. Ho did-riot' want to sco shells made in New Zealand, but they could bo made if an iro>i Industry' was developed. The last war"had proved that the country which was-; the most self-contained.' had tho ticst defence system. There was a lot to bo said ioijythe mobilisation of r'Vßijw Zealand on'military lines for ..ijtc of attacking poverty. ;'.T ..:'',. AEROPLANES AND';GUNS. The' Minister of Defence,;; (the Honl J." G; .'• Cobbe) said, th,ati'lro' was very pleased at the response which tho young men-,of the country wero. making to the requests to join 'up with the Volunteers, and every encouragement was being given to young men' to attend camps. With reference to the future defence of New Zealand, the Minister said that some time ago the Primo Minister had given an outline of what, was being done. At the present time tho Government had on order three flights of nlachiries, and some of these would bo. arriving shortly. Certain anti-aircraft guiis were also being imported. The Government was also mating preparations for the installation of heavy guns capable of throwing tehells a -very considerable distance.; These would bo used for tho defence of the main cities. ■ Mi1. Barnard: There is no.intention of building up aiid equipping ' art. expeditionary force? ' .- ~ . The Minister: There is no intention on my part, but thero is always this to be .said for -New Zealand; if'the Einpiro were* in danger tho difficulty would bo to prevent young men from going. : '', ' : ■ ' . ■■■ : Mr. W. E. Parry: (Labour, Auckland Central): Especially now. Mr.- pobbe:. I ani sure the mombcr for Napier would .send in his name to go overseas if it were necessary. Mr.: Barnard': That is the whole thing—if it wore necessary. The Minister concluded by remarking that from what ho had seen of tho returned'men there was very little wrong with them. "We are not looking for trouble," he said, "but it is our duty, to see that New Zealand is in a position to defend herself should it bo necessary." Mr. A. S. Richards (Labour, Boskill) said that ho wished to protest most strongly against money being spent on defence while the people wero in need of tho necessaries of life. Mr. P. Eraser (Labour, Wellington Central), whose speech was interrupted by tho adjournmeiit, said that the time had arrived when the Government should- explain to Parliament and to the people the whole of its defence policy.

Twice as many boys as girls figure ac victimsiaroad accidents in Britain, while eight times as many boys as girls are drowned. ','.'■