DEFENCE POLICY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 25 May 1938, Page 7

DEFENCE POLICY

OFFICERS' ACTION i CONSIDERED REGRETTABLE THE OFFICIAL VIEW j] [By Telegraph—Special to “The Mail”] j ’ WELLINGTON, 24th May. j] Reference to the manifesto issued j i under the names of Colonels C. R. i 1 Spragg. N. L. Macky, A. S. Wilder, and j R. F. Gambrill, criticising the recent j ■ statement of the Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) as inadequate, l was made to-day by the Minister, who said that there were certain facts relating to their action which should be made public. The Minister, described their action as regrettable, and said that instead of tysing helpful their attitude had been the reverse. "From changes which were being made it was evident to practically all | Territorial Officers that a scheme of re- | organisation of the land forces had been adopted by the Government,” said Mr Jones. Realising that the fullest co-opera-tion of all members was essential for its success, I instructed the Chief of the General Staff to take every opportunity of explaining the scheme to his officers and of inviting them -to put forward suggestions that would tend further to improve the numerical strength and efficiency of the Territorials. As a result certain altera- 1 tions were made tending to greatei efficiency, and other proposals for im- j provements are under consideration. | “On 23rd April the commanding offi- ! cers of units located in Wellington, at | my invitation, met me in my office j to ha->>2 a friendly chat on the ques- i tion of land forces, and they responded ! to my request to express their views j frankly and candidly. The discussion; which ensued was valuable, and I expressed appreciation of their willingness to render every possible assistance to place the Territorial on a better footing. “Knowing that a number of senior officers from various parts of the Dominion were attending an Army School at Trerftham early in May, I asked the Chief of the General Staff to extend to them an invitation to meet me in my office. At the outset of the meeting, which was quite unofficial, I told them that my sole reason for inviting them along was for the purpose of hearing any helpful criticism they had to offer or any suggestions. I expressed the view that with their long experience and knowledge they would no doubt have some good ideas which, if adopted, would improve the efficiency of the forces, and I asked them to be quite candid. \ “The point which I here wish to make is that the meeting was arranged not at the request of the officers, but at my invitation. INCREASING LAND FORCES “It was urged that for the buildingup of the land forces we should do as much as had been and was being done for the Air Force, and one aspect of the matter that was impressed upon me was that if a statement were made showing that the Territorials were essential to the defence of New Zealand and that the Government was behind the land forces, such an action would do an enoi'mous amount of good. “In addition to giving the officers an outline of what had been done, I also gave them particulars of other proposals which were being considered by the Government. I told them, too, that I would be making a public statement in regard to defence matters generally, but that I was not able just at that time to say definitely when or where it would be made. In thanking them at the conclusion of the informal meeting, I told them I was anxious to secure and desired their fullest cooperation, as well as that of everyone . connected with the Forces. | “On the morning immediately fol- ■ lowing this meeting, one of these offi- > cers, speaking on behalf of the senior ■ officers attending the course, asked the I Chief of General Staff to inform me j that unless my statement was made : within a fortnight they would consider | this as undue delay. I understand he ■ replied that he could not convey such : a message to me, as they had no right : to dictate to the Minister when he ■ should make a statement, but that he ■ would inform me that they were ■ anxious to know when the statement : would be released. : “As I had some months previously : accepted invitations to deliver ad- « dresses at Whangarei and Dargaville, I ■j took the opportunity at the latter place ■ of speaking on the subject of defence, : and made very full reference then to : the land forces. In addition, I asked • for the co-operation of all sections of : the community in assisting the Gov- ■ ernment in its efforts to increase the E strength, of the Territorial Forces and : bring them up to the highest state of : efficiency. «■ “Seeing that a full report of my re- » marks was first published in the morn- , ing papers of 18th May, and that the manifesto of the four senior officers was handed to the Press in Auckland and appeared 1n the issues of 19th May, it is evident that it had been prepared and signed prior to my speech. “This makes their action all the more regrettable and instead of being helpful to the Territorial Forces, as I had hoped, their attitude has been the reverse,” concluded the Minister.