DEFENCE VOTE

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXII, Issue 4696, 26 September 1938, Page 5

DEFENCE VOTE

A BIG INCREASE. PRINCIPLE OF COLLECTIVE SECURITY. So long as the units that made up the British Empire remained in one commonwealth, the defence of all was the responsibility of each one of them, said the Hon. W. Nash when speaking at Lower Hutt. He explained that the vote for defence this year had been increased by £2,000,000. "They say that we are not taking care of defence," said the Minister. "That is not true. We do not want any suggestion of war—every member of Cabinet hates the idea of war — but we are solidly behind the League of Nations and the principles of collective security. We realise that it is impossible to maintain peace unless all nations get into one group and agree to stand together against a cruel aggressor. (Applause). "The expenditure on armaments would have been reduced to a minimum figure had that ideal been lived up to in 1919. "To those who contend that the League of Nations is ineffective, I would say that your job is to make it effective. If you do not your children will pass away in war to make it effective.

"There are menacing factors in the world at present. We are prepared to spend £3,000,000 this year, as against £600,000 in 1932-33, and £1,000,000 in 1935-36. We are bringing into being an air force to protect us. There is no other way I can see of defending this country than in the air. But defence in .the main is really situated in the United Kingdom. If Germany or any other Power did succeed in smashing that wonderful little country of Great Britain, New Zealand would pass away too.

"So long as the other Dominions are in one commonwealth the defence of all is the responsibility of each one of us," added Mr. Nash. "The position looks a little better to-day, and we may possibly avoid war, but we will have to pay a terrific price to avoid it."