QUESTION OF DEFENCE

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 31, 5 August 1936, Page 10

QUESTION OF DEFENCE

In view of the disturbed atmosphere of international' politics the references to the defence policy of the Government in the Budget speech last night were, perhaps, briefer and less explicit than might have been expected. The Minister summarised the position financially in a single paragraph:

An additional £250,000 has been provided for defence. Of this amount £190,000 is on account, of naval defence, due to the fact that larger cruisers are to be taken over, while £60,000 additional is for strengthening our land and air defences, particularly the-latter.

The Minister explained that the additional .amount-for, naval defence was offset to the extent of £100,000 by the fact that no contribution towards the Singapore Base is required this year. Later he said: ,

, The Government is taking, such steps as will provide for the effective defence of the Dominion and is investigating procedure to this end. . . . The ordinary defence estimates show a slight increase - over last year, and it is proposed to overhaul completely the expenditure to ensure the most effective utilisation of the money provided.

As part of its defence policy ihe Government also, as emphasised by Mr. Nash, "whilst making provision for the defence of the Dominion and the maximum co-operation'with the British Commonwealth in its policy for'this purpose; . . . is of opinion that the progress of the world can only be achieved through a pro-perly-organised League of Nations." Consequently, the Government will do all it can to support the League. Within its limits the statement of the Minister will be taken as earnest of an intention to give the problem of defence the careful study it deserves. The cardinal principles of New Zealand's defence policy, as we have always maintained, lie in the fullest co-operation with other units of the Empire, particularly with Britain, with the provision that each unit at the same time should be adapted to' the defence. of the particular part of the Empire in which it is domiciled. This meets, *as fatas possible, the problems of the defence of the Empire as a whole and the defence .of its individual parts, according to the demands of any emergency in the military situation that may arise. The general policy outlined by the Minister of Finance seems to cover these principles. Steps are to be taken for "the effective defence of the Dominion" and provision is to be made for "the maximum co-operation with the British Commonwealth."' The importance of air defence under the changing conditions of modern warfare is recognised in the phrase in the first paragraph quoted "strengthening our land and air defences, particularly the latter." Defence s under modern conditions is a highly technical matter and in the Government's expressed determination "to overhaul completely the expenditure to ensure the most effective utilisation of the money provided" it is to be hoped that the best possible expert advice, preferably from Britain, will be obtained. While faith in the League of Nations has been sadly shaken by recent events, any support, even from the smallest of nations, is encouraging, and the Minister's analysis of the'situation was sound. The resolute backing of the League by the smaller nations at this stage should do much to rehabilitate its prestige and influence and deserves the strongest support of the public. . ;