DEFENCE POLICY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23088, 13 July 1938, Page 15

DEFENCE POLICY

ACTIONS JUSTIFIED ADEQUACY OF FORCES GOVERNMENT'S OBJECTIVE [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER} WELLINGTON, Tuesday "I think the public realises that the allegations of inadequacy which aro being levelled against the land forces of New Zealand consist very largely of electioneering," said tlio Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, speaking in the Address-in-Reply debato in the House of Representatives to-day. Reference had been made in the House to tlio question of providing adequate manpower in the defences of tlio Dominion, Mr. Jones said. The land forces should bo judged not so much by the number of individuals, but by their fire power and mobility. Past Governments had spent thousands of pounds on defence in New Zealand, but there was by 110 means an efficient land force or a satisfactory air force when the present Government came into office. "Better Protected than Ever" During 1935-36, for part of which time the previous Government had been in office, £1,193,175 had been spent on defence. The next year, under purely Labour administration, the figure rose to £1.561.986, to be fol- j lowed by £1,857,646 last year. This | proved conclusively, Mr. Jones con- 1 sidered, that the present Government ! had not been unmindful of the defence of New Zealand. "There are people who are trying to make defence an election issue," the Minister continued. "It can't bo done because 110 past Government has ever clone as much for defence as this Government has. While we have spent a lot of money I think we will be able to say that New Zealand is better protected than ever before. "I think it would be a generous gesture, too, if now and again the members of the Opposition were to idmit that we have done something in the way of defence, even for the land : orces." Review of Activities Reviewing steps taken tinder the Government's defence policy, the Minister said that one of the first things done bad been the organisation of the motor-cycle platoons, in which 300 young men were serving throughout New Zealand. Four schools of instruction had been established in which members of the forces could receive sixdays' instruction in addition to their six days' camp, and since last October 345 officers and 2195 men had taken advantage of this. Civil servants had been given every facility to attend camps without any loss of pay or annual leave, and the Government had thus given a lead which had been accepted by a good many employers. Dealing with mechanisation, Mr. Jones asked how much the previous Government had done in that direction. Mr. J. Hargest (Opposition—Awarua): But that is a new method of training. The Minister: It is not as new as you would like people to think. Mr. Jones said that when the present | Government asstimed office there was J practically no air force, and the few j aeroplanes at Wigram were without j bombs. Certainly there were sometimes

difficulties in the way of getting supplies, but the Government now had more than £240,000 worth of stores and equipment on order. Force to Meet Any Raid Dealing with the special reserve, the Minister said that when the Government found that it had not the personnel to man the coast defences it instituted the system by which so many young men, mostly unemployed, received three months' military and vocational training. It had gono on with the completion of the coast defences, some of which had been started by the previous Government, and had formulated other plans which would bo developed as soon as possible. "We have not only spent money," the Minister continued, "but we have received the goods. What we are aiming at is an establishment of 9000, which, with the special reserve, the regular 'forces, the air force and the navy, should be sufficient to deal with any anticipated raid." Mr. Hardest: Do you say that 9000 will be sufficient for that? „

"That is the -opinion that has been given to us," the Minister replied. "1 think that if we reach that number wo will have a force that will enable us to meet any raiders."

CHRISTIANITY IN ACTION

CLAIMS FOR GOVERNMENT PEOPLE'S EQUITIES RESTORED [by telecrap i—si-fcial reporter] WELLINGTON, Tuesday "In the policy of the jiresent Government we have Christianity in action," said Mr. R. Coulter (Government — Waikato) during the Address-in-Reply debate in the House of Representatives to-dav. The Government's policy, ho added, was a social policy, which was in striking contrast to the anti-social attitude and antiquated ideas of the Opposition.

"Wo are entitled to expect some measure of support for our social security proposals, instead of the criticism of tne Opposition," said Mr. Coulter. "Members of the Opposition appear more concerned about private property 'and their wealthy friends than they are about human needs. It is utter nonsense for the Opposition to suggest that this Government is going to take away people's rights and private savings. "The Government has been responsible for the restoration of the equities and goodwill of thousands of people," Mr. Coulter continued. "Many people who lost their savings have had their equities restored as a result of the statesmanship of the present Government."