IMPROVED DEFENCES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21924, 6 October 1934, Page 15

IMPROVED DEFENCES

COASTAL FORTIFICATIONS SOME LABOUR QUESTIONS ENSURING OIL SUPPLIES [BV TKLKCRAI'H —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON. Friday Consideration of the Defence Department vote was given in tho House of R epresen tati ves to-day. The Hon. J. G. Cobbe, Minister of Defence, said he thought members would agree it was time the coast defences were strengthened. The present guns would be of little use in dealing with a modern cruiser or raider. The new guns would have a considerably greater range than the present guns and would be the vcrv latest pattern. Mr. W. E. Barnard (Labour —Napier) moved to reduce the vote by £SO as n protest against the increase in the vote while people were going without the necessaries of life.

The amendment was lost by 37 votes to 18.

Mr. R. Sample (Labour —Wellington East) asked the Minister how he proposed to operate the air arm if trouble arose and oil supplies were cut off. He suggested that New Zealand should develop her own oil resources, otherwise she might find her machines left with no oil to operate them. He asked if tho Minister had some understanding with a country so that New Zealand's oil supplies would never be stopped.

Mr. H. G. 11. Mason (Labour —Auckland Suburbs) asked where the fortifications were to be placed and suggested that they should bo kept away frflm centres of population, so that if they were bombarded the loss of life would not be great.

The Hon. J. G. Cobbe, Minister of Defence, said the question of crude-oil development was not altogether one for the Defence Department, but for a wealthy syndicate. However, the matter was being investigated. Mr. Barnard urged that the training of men for the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve should bo extended to tho smaller sea-coast towns. Mr. P. C. WebD (Labour—Buller) again urged the Government to develop New Zealand's oil industry and the extraction of oil from coal. Naval vessels should not have to depend cn foreign countries for oil and fuel supplies, The Defence Estimates were passed.