DEFENCE TOPICS

Evening Star, Issue 22413, 10 August 1936, Page 15

DEFENCE TOPICS

QUARTERDECK AND PARADE GROUND [By Sam Brown*.] NAVAL RESERVES “ MUSTER BY THE OPEN LIST " The complete Otago Division, R.N.V.R., paraded last Monday, when after inspection by sub-divisional commanders and prayers all ratings were exercised in the various naval salutes with and without arms, on the conclusion ot which “ muster by the open list ” was carried out. Sub-divisions will parade on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from this week, when the syllabus will be; — First part of the starboard watch (able _ seamen not qualified).—Mine sweeping models and lecture on mines. Second part of the starboard watch (classes A and B). —Lectures on parts of tho ship. First part of the port watch.—Fire control, spotting rules, find general procedure at 4in B.L. gun. Second part of the port watch (ratings _ qualified in minesweeping),.— Continues practical wire splicing as required in minesweeping operations. VISIT OF INSPECTING OFFICER During this week the headquarters was visited by Mr H. Philpott, R.N., (N.Z.D.) port wireless telegraphy officer of the naval base, Auckland, in conjunction with his duties of inspecting the visual signalling and wireless telegraphy equipment and training facilities of ail R.N.V.R. divisions. SMALL-BORE SHOOTING The leeway in the practices for the various competitions at headquarters occasioned by the preparation practices for the inter-divisional competition, was made good on Monday last. All competition firings for the months of June and July are now up to date, and will be continued to-night

THE OTAGO REGIMENT FORTNIGHTLY PARADE The Ist Battalion, the Otago Regiment, paraded at the Drill Hall last Tuesday, when the syllabus was advanced a stage further. The officers attended a lecture on the organisation of a defensive fire plan, while the other ranks carried out their usual work in Vickers gun and Lewis gun training and musketry. IMPERIAL DEFENCE SHOULD REQUIRE NO FRESH CO-ORDINA-TION The report that the main item on the agenda paper for the Imperial Connext May will be defence need not be given any serious attention, except for its suggestion that this subject is becoming one for combined thought and on a larger scale, throughout the Empire (stated the Auckland ‘ Herald ’ recently). Twelve months, however, is a long period as time is now reckoned in. international changes. Lately they have moved at a rapid pace. A year ahead the situation will either have greatly altered for the better or be one in which the present difficulties persist; it could hardly be worse. In any event. Imperial defence ought not to require then any fresh co-ordination. That is a task for the present. It has become urgent by reason of existing circumstances, and no doubt the various Governments are already in consultation about it. Mr Hector Bywater, whose knowledge of naval affairs is notably broad and accurate, has raised the question, of probable developments arising from the expansion of European fleets. Two schools of thought, he says, are urging diverse policies in reference to the Mediterranean, where the position is manifestly critical; one considers that steps ought to be taken to strengthen British naval resistance there, the other would have all Britain’s .Eastern traffic diverted by way of the Cape as soon as emergencies threaten. Both these policies, however, involve a coordination of effort by the British Government and the Governments of the dominions to keep trade routes inviolate. They each entail greater expenditure; one by additional cost to protect the Mediterranean link, the other by an increasing outlay on safeguarding a longer route. Again, in both of them is evident an' accretion of difficulty, and therefore of cost, in maintaining maritime safety- at points remote from Britain, particularly for India, the Orient, and the Pacific territories. It follows that thought must be given afresh to the distributing of the burden of naval defence, and that this must be accompanied by a strategic co-ordination as complete as possible. On technical advice, followed by governmental agreement, any needful adjustment can be hopefully made. NATIONAL PROTECTION APPEAL TO COMMUNITY ■ Discussing national defence at the meeting of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, Mr R. H. Aim mo said that by right of self-government Jfcw Zealand had to face the position-from the st.._dpoints of the defence of the Dominion against attack, and obligation to Great Britain to shoulder a fair

share of Empire defence. There was no doubt that any defence that New Zealand could put up against an invading Power would be futile without the assistance of the British The rapidly-changing conditions in Europe had increased the vulnerability of the country, and from the strategical r \ cot 'things had altered. This state of affairs was a distinct challenge to the Dominion to build up its defence forces —the present voluntary scheme was inadequate, and was not receiving the support it should have. Compulsory military training was the only solution at present. The question was urgent, and called for action on the part of the Government, the support of the chamber, and of the business community. .