Dominions Defences

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 236, 6 October 1938, Page 5

Dominions Defences

Minister Claims Great AU-rounu Progress OAKRYINO ON WOBK OF PREVIOUS GOVERNMENT Per Press Assocrauo... DUNEDIN, Last Nig. Preparations ior tne derenee of Nc. Zealand in the event of hostilities weiv discussed by the Minister Defence at a luucneon given in hie honour to-day t>y the Territorial Association of Otago, of which he is patron. &ome ui the information he ga\e was nor of the type that could be broadcast, he sard, ..but he hoped to indicate that an adequate defence machine was being constructed and that excellent progress had been made in the past three years. There was an attendance of about 40 members at the luncheon, over which Dr. R. Fulton presideu. Defence Not a Party Matter Mr. Jones first referred to the thankfulness with which the advice of a satisfactory negotiation of the European crisis was received. 44 1 tis to be hoiked that wo never again have to go through the experience of the past lew weeks," he said. “It is far better to sit round a table before hostilities begin than after lives have been saciificod." He congratulated the association on the excellence of its work. It had bought the co-operation of employees and the response to that appeal had been very pleasing. “Defence is not a matter for party politics," he said. “It is the concorn of everybody and it is the duty of everybody to co-operate and forget party differences. That, I am pleased to say, is the case in New Zealand." Speaking of the progress of the past three years, he said the Government had established Army and Air Boards, and a defence council and naval board had functioned regularly, which included a representative of each of the three boards to receive much confidential information from Great Britain. It was, of course, impossible to broadcast all of its activities, but Mr. Jones spoke of the national security provisions and explained how the machinery for emergency measures had been and was being prepared. An enormous amount of work had been done, he said, but the Labour Government did not wish to take the credit for anything to which it was not entitled. The organisation for national security was established by the previous Government and the Labour Government had developed it, as no doubt any other Government would have endeavoured to develop it. Much work had been done, also, to provide protection against gas attacks, but it had not been thought necessary to issue everybody with a gasmask. The Government had relied upon expert advice in its defence provisions and it bad been advised that its concern need really be only against sporadic raiders. It had accordingly acted on that advice, but if experts should at any time consider additional or variation of method desirable, other steps should bo taken with the same thoroughness. Co-operation With Britain and Australia Better training for the Army was being given now thau had ever been experienced before in training schools uud camps. The aim was to train leaders. in the last few years 35LK? men had been posted to the reserve list, but their services would be of value if the need for them should arise. This applied also to returned soldiers, and Mr. Jones referred to coastal defence measures and rifle clubs. It would be possible to expand the land force quickly and easily. Some degrea of mechanisation had been accomplished and it was desired to do more in this direction, but Great Britain’s needs came first and New Zealand had to wait for the fulfilment of its orders. At present there were orders totalling about £250,000 placed in Great Britain. New Zealand was co-operating with Great Britain and Australia in training, and he emphasised again that the need was for leaders. The force coulu be quickly expanded if the occasion were to arise. Navy and Air Force Many naval questions had been considered and this Government had carried on with the work started by the previous Government. Excellent pro gress had been made, for which statement there was supporting testimony from officers in the service and visiting experts. Progress iu the Air Force, too, had been excellent. Certainly New Zealand was using second-hand aircraft for training. In addition to the 20 machines now in use, 50 more were being acquired and Great Britain was being asked for a further 20 0 machines for training work iu the event of hostilities. Jt was estimated that New Zealand could train 1000 pilots a year if required. Many of those machines had hardly been used and they had tho merit of being cheap. “Without going into details, I ‘think I have said enough to show that New Zealand is making adequate preparations for defence in the event of hostilities," Mr. Jones concluded. “I have been very pleased with the measure of co-operation given by the officers and staffs in the various «ervices and I think the men in the services arc satisfied with the progress that has been made in the past three years.'' 20 PER CENT. MORE AUSTRALIAN MILITIA FORCE OF 42,000 MEN United Press Association.—By EloctrL. Telegraph.—Copyrljcnt. CANBERRA, Oct. 5. On the recommendation of its expert advisers, the Federal Government has decided to increase the authorised personnel of the militia forces from 35,000 to 42,000 men. A recruiting campaign will begin in a fortnight.