PACIFIC DEFENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 26 April 1939, Page 3

PACIFIC DEFENCE

CONFERENCE RESULTS

(Per Press Association.—Copyright)

AUCKLAND, April 24

Great satisfaction with the results of the c'onferejice on Pacific defence, at expressed by the Prinfe Minister fitt. H on. M. J. Sava£e) affter his arrival in Auckland by train to-dav. •

“Theb conference has come fully up

to my-expectations, and has done invaluable; work, j showing how the defence ".system of New Zealand should be developed (to meet our growing requirements,” said Mr Savage. He dee]are(“iat. the Government was determined to do its part as a unit in the defence of the ; Empire, and he felt that the co-operation and co-ordina-tion of all organisations to tins end would enable rapid progress to be made on .a. voluntary basis. , “Jf>. fcohscriptiom became necessary, the Government would not begin with the conscription of manhood, but with the resources .and wealth of the Do-1 million. The Government would not allow anyone to make profits, out cf the' Dominion’s : necessities,” said Mr Savage. * He, paid* a glowing tribute to the and- personnel .of the Air ‘Force."“We have the best material "offering; lh-. this any, country,” be sao““d'the' British Government cannot, get 1 enough!young New ZealandexS”td join':the Royal Air Force.”

MtplSajjagqMgaid he was returning to Wellington sooner than he expect-; edr-.-to -be presentr- when the- defence. talks- concluded at the sittings on Wednesday. Therbfoib,’ he bwas leaving Auckland;! to-morrow evening, and wouidSliave. a final meeting with ’the - oyefeeas delegates before tliejf left New Zealand. '-- • '-■.The Government’s decisions for the future expansion of-the Dominion defence.ysystesm would be based on the report pi-; the conference. He hoped that conscription would not bo necessary, but it 'was essential for every individual 'to feel; that bps lias a worthwhile share Zealand, and be should be prepared to defend his I

country, and to: assist democratic pro- , gress, if a crisis? should come. Women also must; be ready to co-operate in the defence of the'country. While every . effofcE; whs being made to ensure peace, We Shbllld develop spur defence. -AiT ’tlia’t 50,000 men may he :required'.,, for ‘New Zealand’s de-fehce-t-orceS' given by Mi Savage. “X ■h;We'' ’asked the "commandant of

the military.-forces- what use he could

make of -50,000 men; and he will let me have.his report this week,” said Mr Savage. The Government had direct-

ed its officers to report on the varioiis aspects of the Dominion’s defence. “Tile first thing wo have to do to help Britain is help ourselves,” he added, Mr Savage jvisited factories, and addressed the employees during the forenoon. •