LOCAL DEFENCES.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXVII, Issue 4458, 17 October 1933, Page 4

LOCAL DEFENCES.

In announcing the Government policy to increase the defences of the Dominion, the Prime Minister stated that he had been in close touch with the Imperial authorities on the matter, with the result that it was found advisable to thoroughly overhaul our defences. This statement was made before Germany's sensational pronouncement, and it will now be more imperative than ever to review our defences. The outlook in Europe has gone from bad to worse and any outbreak in the Western World will have repercussions in the East and the Pacific. From a defence point of view New Zealand and Australia occupy a dangerous position. At present we are wholly dependent on the British Navy, which may possibly be occupied elsewhere in the event of hostilities, and it is quite certain that we will have to be more self-reliant in the matter of defence. It may be fantastic to think that New Zealand will ever be attacked by an aggressive Power, but it needs only a superficial investigation of world conditions to-day to realise that nothing is impossible in this way. It is most regrettable that such an expenditure is necessary at a time when the Dominion should be studying economy, but the Government would be lacking in its duty if it failed to take every possible precaution. It is the Government's intention in the meantime to concentrate on aerial defence, and this appeal's to be a wise policy, for it seems to be the least expensive and yet the most efficient line of defence for a country like New Zealand. It may yet be necessary to re-introduce compulsory training, but no mention is made of this in the Government's proposals. It is also proposed to supplant the cruisers at present in New Zealand with more modern vessels, and this will involve a larger naval vote. Up to the present this Dominion has not borne its full burden for naval defence, and with the international complications to be seen on every side we will have to take more of this load. The race for armaments has started and even a small country like New Zealand must be drawn into the vortex.