NORTHERN ADVOCATE DAILY THURSDAY, MAY 3, 1934. OUR DEFENCE FORCES

Northern Advocate, 3 May 1934, Page 4

NORTHERN ADVOCATE DAILY

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 1934. OUR DEFENCE FORCES

Registered for traasralsston through , the post as\* av -Newspaper.

It is in keopinp; with 1 lie renewal of interest in the subject of national defence that the New Zealand Government should be taking steps to improve the defences of the Dominion. A good deal has been dtfne in this direction during recent months. The air arm is to be considerably strengthened by the importation of modern fighting machines designed to till the special requirements of an isolated country such as New Zealand is. The aircraft i are intended to counter an attack, which must of necessity come from the sea. and coast fortifications are also to hi 1 brought to a reasonable state of usefulness.. These arc matters of prime importance, for it cannot he too strongly -urged that the prevention of an enemy from landing on New Zealand shores, should such an attempt ever he made, is more necessary than the overcoming of an enemy who has once obtained a footing—and infinitely easier. Tins consideration. of course, demonstrates the necessity for a strong navy strategically placed; there is no need to labour this argument, the strength of which is self-evident. But. when the importance of preventing an enemy from landing in New Zealand is admitted, il must he clear to even the least thoughtful that there remains a very urgent need for a wellequipped and numerically strong defence force. Binee the abolition of universal military training in New Zealand, reliance has been placed upon voluntary enlistment, b;y means of which the nucleus of a defence force has been maintained. . TV is obvious that those who have'joined the various units have been moved by the proper-spirit, otherwise They woTibl have devoted their leisure to some other pursuit. Inspired by patriotic enthusiasm, ns they must'be, the trainees are naturally the class from which leaders may be expected' to be drawn. For that reason, the volunteer system whqdi has been kept in being is playing a most useful role. The Defence Dor partmonl, realising the splepdid service the volunteers are rendering, lias made a gesture which we feel will be heartily appreciated, and which should also bring about a’ material increase in the personnel. As was announced by the Minister of Defence a few days ago, payment is to be made for attendance of territorials at parades, boots are to lie issued free, and facilities provided for the formation of new units. These units will no doubt be, sneli as are associated | with coast defence, which, as has! been stated, is to form a special j feature of New Zealand’s defenee system. It will be seen that the Defence Department is making substantial efforts to assist territorials in a time of financial stress, and it is to bo hoped that employers and others will cooperate by making it possible for those who wish to attend camps j and daylight parades to do soi with the minimum expense andj inconvenience. If these things are done, and the youth of the country are encouraged to join the territorials. New Zealand will be able to boast the possession of a. voluntary defenee force of which it will have reason to he proud. - j