DOMINION DEFENCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22214, 14 September 1935, Page 15

DOMINION DEFENCE

ADEQUATE SYSTEM URGED ENCOURAGING SEA SENSE CHANCE WANTED FOR YOUTHS [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] Wellington, Friday Hie necessity for an adequate system of defence and an encouragement of the sea sense among young New Zealanders was emphasised by Mr. W. P. Kndean (Government Parnell) during the Address-in-Replv debate in the House of Representatives to-day. Great Britain at one time had been the policeman of the world, Mr. Kndean said. He believed in peace and in the League of Nations, but with countries like .Japan and the United States outside the League, that organisation would have difficulty in functioning for the cause of peace, if Britain was to be left unarmed, world peace would be threatened. Tho statement made in Canada by tho Prime Minister, Mr. Forbes, that New Zealand would stand solidly behind Great Britain in the event of war, was nothing but the truth. If Britain became involved in war and was destroyed, New Zealand would l'-se its export market. No sensible person wanted war, but protection for hearth and home was another matter. "We are doing astounding things at present," continued Mr. Kndean. "We are converting our sea-loving nation into a lot of landlubbers. The service car and the railways are driving away the coastal vessels, and 110 opportunities for a seafaring life are available to young New Zealanders. i think the Government might ask the British shipping companies to consider engaging a few New Zealanders as apprentices. If there is a difficulty about boarding tho lads in London between trips, surely some provision could be made in that direction." Mr. Kndean added he hoped that if the Government arranged any shipping service to the East, it would see that goods and passengers were carried in British vessels.