NEW ZEALAND’S DEFENCES.

Evening Star, Issue 22913, 22 March 1938, Page 14

NEW ZEALAND’S DEFENCES.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Mr Savage’s remarks that the defences of New Zealand were never better than now means that they were never at any time worth mentioningj I feel that if any visiting foreigners, such as Count yon Luckner, or people with wide experience, read such remarks as that of our Prime Minister they would be sent into fits of laughter. The fact remains, just as Lord Roberts told the House of Commons in 1913: “ Your army is a sham.” I say New Zealand’s defences are not only a sham, but really tragically and dangerously misleading in view of possible war. We have a Government that fears to act. The very idea of compulsory training is obnoxious to many Labour adherents, and this Government, to retain their loyal support, would hesitate to put emergency measures into _force. A Coates-Forbes Government would have had some scheme to enable all men and boys from 16 to 60 able to bear arms to learn musketry and machine gun practice long before this. lam of the opinion that all returned soldiers should be called up now to act as instructors in military tactics, not so much the “ form fours ” stuff, but how to shoot, How to take cover, and the rough shaping up. We have thousands of men hanging around street corners, some on sustenance, too tired to weed their own gardens. I say alb these should be compelled to fit themselves for de-, fence of the land that sustains them. My previous letters have stressed the need for unity and sinking of political differences. This must be strengthened by action, and if on? present Government bas not the courage to enforce the necessary legislation, it looks to me, in view of impending dangers, that we shall fight our next election on questions ,;of vital urgency that, distasteful as they may be, like medicine, “ must be swallowed.” Every man should spend evenings and Saturdays intensively preparing our defences, and the Hon. F. Jones, as Minister of Defence, should be replaced by some one with wider military experience. We need a large air force and mobile machine gun forces, with adequate mining for harbours. To rely upon poor old Britain is not playing the game. Remember the words that came from a high authority in London: ”In the event of world war the outlying sections of our Empire may be left to their own resources.” But Mr Savage says: “ Our defences were never better.” Why, any audience watching a newsreel could tell Mr Savage a few tips of our wonderful defences. New Zealanders are more concerned with Rugby, “ Tatts,” and wrestling, and “ booze,” paid for out of their sustenance—l am,'etc., _ i B. E. Kite.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —From his world of idealist hallucinations the Prime Minister has seen fit to send a message to us on the question of defence. In one part of this message he is reported to have stated that the whole question of defence is better to-day than it has ever been, and that this is the case when regarded from the viewpoint of equipment and recruiting; in another part he goes on to state that he is finding out at present what the position is in the matter of recruiting. Everyone in this country who takes an interest in the land forces of the Dominion knows full well that the establishment strength of the Territorial Force was recently cut down to reconcile with the then paper strength. The effective strength of units to-day falls very short of even the reduced establishment requirements, else ■ why did the Chief of the General Staff, a few weeks ago, approach the business men of this city, cap in hand, praying for their support m the endeavour to bring units up to strength? I suggest to the Prime Minister in all seriousness that he should take the country into his confidence at this critical period, and further that he would serve his own interests, those of his party, and those of New Zealand very much better were he to support the Leader of the Opposition in his efforts to awaken the country to a sinso of duty, rather than resort to childish retaliatory gibes on a matter which should be far removed from party politics.—l am, etc., Ex-Digger. February 21.