THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 1938 DEFENCE NEEDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23040, 18 May 1938, Page 12

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 1938 DEFENCE NEEDS

The Government's programme for defence Was . placed before the people fairly fully and frankly by the Minister of Defence, speaking at Dargaville last night. Its hand has been laid on the table, revealing some elements of strength and some of palpable weakness. The Government is more than dummy in this game, of course, but it can be greatly helped in building up and playing the hand by its public partner. Such co-operation between Government and people is essential if the most is to be made of the bid for security against all possible challengers. The people should understand that they must do thenpart, that neither the present nor any other Government can succeed against popular slackness and apathy. An active and helpful spirit should therefore be brought to the examination of the programme outlined by Mr. Jones. He has explained what is being done at sea, on land and in the air, and also what the Government plans to do. As matters stand at present, Mr. Jones makes it clear that Zealand remains virtually defenceless in a menacing world. The naval arm alone is comparatively well manned and equipped to give a fighting account of itself. Even bo, its effectiveness would be limited without adequate air support and crippled without its base at Auckland being guaranteed by land forces. Both are planned, but neither is in being. Plans are not preparedness. It is well, therefore, that the British Government is playing for time, in spite of Mr. Jordan's hot exhoi'tations at Geneva. The breathing-space should be used with all speed to provide as complete and adequate defences as New Zealand can afford. The primary responsibility rests on the Government, but its discharge must also depend on the will of the people. Mr. Jones entered on his task with almost everything to make, except in the naval sphere. His progress may have been hesitating and slow, but few have sought to hasten it. Now he has produced plans and it is up to all good citizens to lend their moral and practical support in transforming them into defensive reality as quickly as possible.

Acceleration is the requirement that should be impressed on the Government. Mr. Jones shows that before naval provision can be considered complete within local limits, important steps must be taken. The second named by him may be singled out for special emphasis—the provision of suitable craft for local defence in time of emergency. In this department Mr. Jones could with advantage enlist the interest and skilled help of the yachtsmen, as the British Admiralty is doing. His scheme for the Permanent Air Force appears to be adequate and sound. Unfortunately air power must remain potential, not actual, for some considerable time. The delivery of the 30 modern bombers waits on the formation of the two operational stations, o'f which only one is in hand. The site of the other, covering Auckland and the naval base from the air, has not even been determined. More energy and expedition are urgent requisites. The same applies to the Territorial Air Force, whose organisation, except in Wellington, is unaccountably slow. If the arrival of the Vickerß Wellington bombers must be delayed, the more reason to put the Territorials' Baffin machines into commission. Subject to the time factor, however, the Government's programme of naval and air defence may be considered reasonably satisfactory. The fatal weakness applies to the land forces, a weakness that, if not corrected, will paralyse the other two arms at the first shock. Mr. Jones' plans for the Territorials, even if they were adjudged to be adequate, give no present promise of being worked out. To state a not very exacting test—are the coastal forte equipped in readiness and could they be efficiently manned in a sudden emergency to withstand, say, a hostile cruiser mounting heavier than 6in. guns? If not—and that is the probable answer —then naval and air bases would be left open to destruction and the people helpless against the invader's will. If the forts are organised for instant action, then the onus of repelling a raid would fall on the Territorials to resist an up-coast raid, wherever and whenever it might be made. Mr. Jones aims at the organisation of such a force, one that would be highly mobile because highly mechanised and efficiently armed, but at present the force does not exist and the prospects for its early organisation are most discouraging. In ohief the problem is one of man - power and training. The material requirements, vehicles and weapons, can be and are being supplied. To man the force Mr. Jones has in mind, only 9000 are required. It might be sufficient on the strict condition that every man is fit, intelligent, and highly trained, so that the maximum force and firepower can be speedily concentrated at the threatened point. Unfortunately the condition is not being fulfilled. The Territorial Force numbers 7400, 1600 short of the modest establishment, and is decreasing. Worße than that, only 41 per cent or about 3000 attended camp this year. A short camp can scarcely guarantee the efficiency necessarily demanded of so small a force, yet few have participated even in that measure of preparation. The situation is utterly disquieting. The Government's responsibility demands that it shall do what it has not yet done exert its leadership and exercise determined resource 'to bring the Territorial Forces at least up to the minimum standard set by the Minister. Behind the official effort should stand the popular will. Social security can be guaranteed only through national security*