N.Z. DEFENCE POLICY

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 121, 18 November 1936, Page 13

N.Z. DEFENCE POLICY

At a civic reception at Auckland yesterday' Lord Hartington, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Dominion Affairs, said there was a great deal, in New Zealand which they could do well to copy in the Old Land, and although they had started much longer ago there was much that they could emulate, reports the "Auckland Star." Personally he had had a wonderful time in New Zealand and had enjoyed every moment of it. New Zealand was famed for its hospitality, and it was justly famed. Everywhere they had received the warmest of welcomes. Lord Hartington said that the subject of defence had been mentioned, and it had been inspiring to see that the subject was occupying the minds of the people of New Zealand. It was an eloquent fact that New Zealand had almost complete immunity, but the conditions in Europe were far from settled, and he welcomed what New Zealand was doing to make her defences more secure so that they could be of assistance to the Old Country if the occasion arose. He believed, however, that as long as the Old Country and the Empire were united, the necessity would not arise. They were taking up the burden of arms, and it was a heavy burden. It was not in a spirit of militarism, but because they realised the necessity of being prepared if they valued peace and liberty. PROBLEM BEING TACKLED. They had to be ready to preserve their institutions; he hoped .that that necessity would never arise, but if they were not prepared the necessity might arise. He was very glad to see that the New Zealand Government was tackling the problem in the proper way. (Applause.)