NEGLECTED DEFENCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22987, 15 March 1938, Page 10

NEGLECTED DEFENCE

Taking high Imperial ground, Mr. Semple' delivered a stirring speech at Napier. Britain, he said, was the sheet anchor of democracy and the safety valve of the world. To perform its duty to the world the Empire must have strength to defy dictators and thoir like. Unfortunately for the Minister, he is a member of a Government which seems to be less conscious of its obligations in the matter of defence than any within the Empire on this side of the world where menace looms. Such words will not help to defend these shores, a task which is the least the Mother Country can expect. The land forces are only a shadow of their paper strength, and it in essential that the Government should take action to make them adequate. To do so it must counteract the propaganda of years whereby a very large proportion of youth has been led to despise military training. Actually the spirit of many potential fighters is so warped that it will take a considerable period of the best effort to restore it to a sound, healthy, patriotic condition. Youth must be convinced that the Dominion has a duty toward the defence of democracy which has inspired the hot words of the Minister. In reply to the Federal Prime Minister, Mr. Chamberlain has elaborated his recent statement on the subject of defence, but the plain fact is that the position may arise where Britain might not be able to spare ships and aircraft for the defence of distant Dominions. A much more definite local plan ought to be adopted in New Zealand.