DEFENCE POLICY

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 64, 13 September 1945, Page 6

DEFENCE POLICY

GOVERNMENT'S PLANS

QUESTIONS ASKED

Questions as to the Government's policy in connection with the defence of New Zealand were asked by Mr. J. N. Massey (National, Franklin) during his Budget speech in the House of Representatives last evening. He wanted to know whether the Dominion was to fit in with a plan likely to be arranged by the Mother Country for the defence of the Empire.

■ Would New Zealand be asked to increase her contribution to the British authorities and to provide more money, men, and ships? What was to be the future of the Air Force, and what would be Government policy in regard to civil aviation? What was to be done in regard to military operations within New Zealand? Was it the Government's intention to provide for compulsory military training? Those were things the public was asking about, he said, and the questions should be answered and answered in the very near future. He had always been in favour of compulsory military training. The National Party believed there should be a permanent Army in New Zealand, and he would ask what were the Government's plans. So far the House not been consulted, but he believed the thing was so serious that Parliament should be consulted at the earliest possible moment. It was essential to keep the Union Jack flying and to do that it was necessary not only to prepare plans but to take the economic situation into consideration. It was imperative that the bulk of the Dominion's oversea trade should go in the direction of the Mother Country.

Mr. D. W. Coleman (Government, Gisborne): We all agree with that.