REORGANISATION OF DEFENCE FORCES IS PLANNED

Evening Star, Issue 26136, 25 June 1947, Page 6

REORGANISATION OF DEFENCE FORCES IS PLANNED

“ The nature and strength of the defence forces of. New Zealand and the international and British Commonwealth obligations, and other defensive requirements upon which they are based have continued to occupy the close attention of my advisers. The Council of Defence has been reconstituted, and the chiefs of staff of the Army and the air have recently attended a conference in the United .Kingdom called by the chief of the Imperial General Staff, Field-Marshal Viscount Montgomery, who will himself shortly pay a visit to New Zealand. “ Measures are being taken to reconstitute and reorganise the regular Army and the Air Force. A naval recruiting campaign has been commenced, and the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve is being re-established and expanded. “ The necessity to maintain its proportion of the occupation forces in Japan is fully recognised by my Government. By agreement with His Majesty’s Governments in other contributing countries of the British Commonwealth and with the Government of the United States of America, the New group of the British Commonwealth occupation force in Japan is being reduced to a strength of 2,400.” ' , • INTERNATIONAL DISTRESS.

“ The devastation and acute shortages resulting from six years of largescale warfare have placed in jeopardy the lives and well-being of many millions ,of. human beings. New Zealand is a member of several international bodies, which are: co-ordinating jthe work of individual nations in alleviating the despei'ate plight of many countries and -people. Parliament will be made aware of the work of many of these bodies—such as the International Refugee Organisation and the International Children’s Emergency Fund—and practical proposals will be made, by my Government of ways in-whiclr New Zealand can make the most effective contribution to the attainment of their ends. S

“ During the * financial year which ended on March 31, the public revenues were buoyant, and the accounts closed with a surplus of £i,611,000,” His Excellency said in addressing Members of the House of Representatives. “ Benefits distributed from the Social Security Fund amounted to £36,121,000, which was £1,000,000 more than had been anticipated in the Budget. Legislation was enacted last year to effect a reduction in income tax and sales tax. Further relief was accorded _ taxpayers this year by the elimination of the remaining 6d in the £ of National Security tax. and the necessary legislation to validate this reduction will be introduced during the present session of Parliament.

“In recognition of the enormous burden that the United Kingdom carried throughout the war, and is continuing to bear in the post-war period, a gift of £12,500,000 was made to the United Kingdom Government as a token of New Zealand’s ■ appreciation of the magnificent effort of the (British people in safeguarding the freedom of mankind. A grant of £250,000 was also made to the fund initiated bv the Lord Mayo of London for the alleviation of distress caused hy the recent disastrous floods in Britain.”

PROGRESS OF REHABILITATION. Addressing once more the members of both Houses, the Governor-General said: “It is gratifying that New Zealand is making a substantial recovery from the ec. mic dislocations of the war. The success of the rehabilitation scheme gives special satisfaction. Exservicemen and ex-servicewomen have had the widest opportunities to secure remunerative employment. More than 11,500 ex-servicemen have availed themselves of the trade - training scheme. In addition, 3,251 ex-service-men have wholly or partly completed training as f- rmers. “My Government’s land-settlement proposals are designed to place at least 9.000 ex-servicemen permanently on the land. To date. 3,893 ex-service-men have acquired farms of their own with rehabilitation finance. For the settlement of ex-servicemen, the State has so far acquired or set aside 742,000 acres of land. More than 25,400 exservicemen and ex-servicewomen have received grants to assist them with their education. Already 21.000 houses have been provided for ex-servicemen, and financial provision has been made for a further 4 houses. ‘

“ Of tile 186,000 ex-service personnel registered with the Rehabilitation Department over 132.000 have so far received some form of assistance. The total outlay for rehabilitation now amounts to just on £51.000,000.

HIGHER FARM PRODUCTION. “ In the primarv industries there has been a notable achievement. The previous season’s output of meat, which was a record, is on preliminary evidence, likely to be surpassed in the current season. With the favourable climatic conditions, dairy production has recovered from the setback of last season’s

drought and the export of butter will exceed the previous year’s shipments by approximately 20,000 tons. “ An agreement has been made between my Government and the representatives of the dairy industry providing for the establishment of a dairy commission for the determination each season of the guaranteed price and for the future responsibility for marketing butter and cheese overseas and in New Zealand. Legislation to give effect to this agreement will be submitted early in the session. MAORI WELFARE.

“ The promotion c of the general wellbeing and progress of the Maori people has engaged the constant attention of my Government during the year. Welfare officers were appointed under tire Maori Social and Economic Advancement Act and work has progressed on the development and settlement of Maori lands. A Royal Commission has been appointed to investigate the ‘ surplus lands ’ claims and other claims are receiving consideration.”