IF WAR COMES

Evening Star, Issue 23353, 24 August 1939, Page 8

IF WAR COMES

MONEY FOR DEFENCE NOT LACKING ACTING PREMIER'S ASSURANCE PROPERTY AS WELL AS MEN PART OF DEFENCE SYSTEM [From Our Farmamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, August 2a. A declaration that there would be no difficulty about finding money for defence if the need arose was made by the Acting Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, in the House during the discussion on the first item of the Estimates, the vote for the Legislative Department. Air Fraser was replying to a recommendation by Air Hargest (National, Awarua) that some of the provision made for social services and Public Works should be diverted for defence purposes. Flo declared that if New Zealand was threatened with invasion, not only every human being, but every penny and all property would become part of the defence system of the Dominion.

While congratulating the Minister of Defence on the increased provision made for national defence, Mr Hargest said he hoped he would not he accused of jingoism if he urged the Minister to persuade his colleagues to divert part of the vast expenditure in other directions for defence purposes. Ho know the Government placed a great deal of stress on the social services given to the people, and not one Opposition member would detract from the importance of those services or the Public Works programme, but at the present time everyone recognised the vital necessity for an adequate defence force in view of the serious state of affairs in Europe. Mr Hargest said he would suggest that a Territorial force of lG,ooo°men was not enough, and New Zealand should do its little bit as soon as possible. A force of -10,000 men would not he too great. “I am not decrying social services, but they are not so important as national security. Every piece of legislation we have placed on the Statute Book during the last 80 years will go for nothing unless we can keep this country inviolate against the aggressor. We cannot defend it with IG.OOO men.”

Mr O’Brien (Government, Westland) strongly deprecated tlio snggestion which lie contended Mr Hargest had made that, increased provision tor defence be made at the expense of the pensioners, the widows, and orphans. New Zealand was worth defending, but it would not be at the expense of those

in need of State assistance. He was surprised that any member should throw out such a suggestion in this enlightened day. While ho was of opinion that everybody would do his share to defend the country, he was convinced that nobody would be allowed to make a profit of war. Those who had money and were not prepared to allow it to bo used in defence, would be required to place it at the disposal of the Government. If men were to bo conscripted, then wealth would bo conscripted too.

The Leader of the Opposition, Air Hamilton, said that what Air Hargest had said was that a little more emphasis might bo given to national security than to social.

“ There will be no difficulty about finance for defence,” said Air Fraser. “ This year £5,400,000 is being provided for the purpose.” It was unthinkable, if New Zealand was to do its duty that the question of finance for defence should stand in the way. It would not stand in the way.

Further, it must be apparent to everybody that if this country was threatened with invasion not only every human being, but every penny in the Dominion and every ounce of property becomes part of the defence system of the country.

The Alinistor added : “ There is no need to argue about money for defence. If it is not there it will be obtained. Air Lee ashed who was going to invade New Zealand in tbe next 12 months. Ho added that the country might encounter difficulty in expanding its industries in that time, and every technician was needed to keep industry going. The country did not want to have to send 100,000 men overseas, when that number could be used in industry. To some people it could he said “ Hand back your funds overseas so that we can buy machine guns and other armaments, but not at the expense of onr pensioners.”