New Zealand Defence Plans Praised

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 181, 3 August 1938, Page 6

New Zealand Defence Plans Praised

VERY EFFICIENT SERVICE, * 7 SAYS AIR MARSHAL

Per Press Association,

DUNEDIN, Aug. 2.

The Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, addressed an audience of some 400 people at Mosgrei last night being accorded a vote of confidence Alier a review of the achievements ol Labour, Mr. Jones said that the National Party claimed that they would reduce taxation. Electors were entitled to know how they would reduce wages, repeal the 40-hour week, close the training colleges, repeal the arbitration amendments, abandon the farmers road access policy, reduce pensions, suspend the housing programme oi withdraw the new education and health facilities.

Speaking on the guaranteed price the Minister said that figures showed that farmers owning properties undei £3,000 valuation, mainly dairying paid in 1935 employment tax on an income of £lO2. In 1936 on £lB2 and in 1937 on £295, while in 1938 the amount was estimated at £350. AU these figures were net income. After detailing at length the defence measures taken, Mr. Jones quoted the tribute paid to the Naval Division by the retiring commodore, also reading an extract from a letter received by him from Air Marshal Sir Edward Ellington, which read in part: “I was impressed with the progress made recently, rl.d from an examination of the plan? for further development I feel sure that that expansion is based on sound lines. The officers and men 3 have seen are excellent material, and when the present plans for expansion are completed I see no reason why the New Zealand Air Force should not prove a very efficient service fully capable of taking its part in the defence of the country.” There had been much agitation, Mr. Jones said, for the introduction of compulsory military service. The Government did not consider compulsion necessary, it did not operate in Great Britain or Australia. Did their opponents intend to embody compulsory military service as a plank of their platform? The electors were entitled to know. TERRITORIAL FORCE TE AROHA MEETING PLEDGES SUPPORT Per Press Association. TE AROHA, Aug. 1. A representative meeting convenea by the Borough Council was addressed by Colonel Mead, D. 5.0., officer commanding the Northern District, on the desirability of increasing the membership of the Territorial Force. The speaker said that the Government’s objective was 9000, but enrolments totalled only 7112. The following motion by the president of the Returned Soldiers* Association was carried unanimously: ‘That this meeting records appreciation of Colonel Mead’s address, but feels that public apathy is more apparent than real, and that if requirements are emsufficiently they will mee 4 with a ready response. Further, the meeting in every -way pledges itself to assist and support the Territorial Force.”