BURDEN OF ARMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22579, 18 November 1936, Page 15

BURDEN OF ARMS

NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE LORD HARTINGTON'S PRAISE SINCERITY OF PEOPLE The " earnest and resolute " way in which, he said, the New Zealand Government was tackling the defence problem was commended by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, the Marquess of Hartington, in his address at the civicreception accorded to him in Auckland yesterday. The matter was brought up by the Mayor of Mount Eden, Mr. T. McNab. who remarked that New Zealanders were loyal to a man. Although the Dominion might be lagging in regard to defence, a change was coming over the people and they were demanding that, proper measures be taken. "Speaking as an ex-soldier," he added, " I can say we realise that only through defence can peace be secured. We are part of the Old Country. We are proud of being so, and we can be relied upon in the future." " Jt is inspiring to sec liovv much defence is in the minds of New Zealand people," said the Marquess, in his reply. " You in New Zealand are, as far as is humanly possible, immune from external attack, What your future would be if the Empire should succumb to external assault is another matter. Although you are almost completely immune, you realise that conditions in Europe are unsettled and that to be prepared for emergencies is the only means of security. For that reason you are preparing defences, just as you ■ have nobly assisted the defence of the Empire in the past." The marquess said be was optimistic of the future so long as the Dominions and the Old Country were united in regard to defence. Unfortunately there had been utterances such as those of people who declared that on no condition would they be prepared to fight for their country. Counsel of this sort was the surest way to prepare for trouble. " You realise that you must take up the burden of arms—and it is a heavy one —not in any spirit of militarism," continued Lord Hartington, " but because you have learned the lesson which has been painfully brought home to us through the failure of other countries to reduce their armaments, that it is necessary. If the institutions we most value, peace and liberty, are to be preserved, we must be prepared to fight for them. If we are not prepared, the necessity to fight may arise. Jt is inspiring to see your Government tackling the problem in so earnest and resolute a way." VISIT TO NAVAL BASE FINE STAMP OF YOUTH INSPECTION OF HOBSONVILLE Pleasure at the stamp of youth coming forward for entrance into the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy was expressed by Lord Hartington during a visit he made yesterday afternoon to the Devonport Naval Base. Lord Hartington, who was accompanied by the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, was also impressed by the development being made at the base. "Both Lord Hartington and 1 were very impressed with the new recruits who have recently been accepted for the Navy," said Mr. Jones last night. "They are a splendid type, and it says much for the Navy that it can attract such good boys and young men. New Zealand can have as many sailors of a fine stamp as she wants." In the morning Lord Hartington and Mr. Jones paid a visit of inspection to the Hobsonville Air Base, where Lord Hsrtington said he was greatly impressed with the equipment and control, particularly with the modern type of automatic lifting doors to the hangars. These doors, which are a New Zealand development of an American idea in hangar construction, are the only ones of their kind used for military or civil purposes in the world. i Lord Hartington said that in England and ill other countries sliding doors were used, often operated by hand. The Hobsonville doors had the advantage of giving a cleaner and a quicker means of exit, and the possible military disadvantage of their being put out of operation by a bomb dropped on the front portion of the hangar was not one that need be weighed heavily, since the same disadvantage would apply to any type of door.

After visiting Hobsonville, Lord Hartington and the .Minister made a brief inspection of the defence works at. Kauri Point, where facilities for naval dumps and stores are being created. Mr. Jones said that tlio concreting of the dumps and placements was now largely completed, and it remained for the wharf to be finished, approaches to be made and storehouses erected.