DEFENCE PLANS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23156, 30 September 1938, Page 10

DEFENCE PLANS

MINISTER'S STATEMENT | RATIONING OF PETROL IMPROVING THE SERVICES EXTENT OF AIR FORCE [ JJY TELEGRArn —OWN CORRESPONDENT] IXVEKCARCILL, Thursday "If we are faced with an emergency at any time, and I hope that it will not come, bad as the outlook is today, we have plans prepared for getting all the machinery ready. 'lhis year the Government is spending £3,080.000 in providing an • up-to-date defence force for the Dominion," declared the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, in a political address at Lime Ilills. The supply of petrol to New Zealand was limited in quantity, he said. For the purposes of an emergency the Government must know what was going to happen if the supply was cut off. The authorities had worked out a system whereby the distribution of petrol could be rationed and controlled. Over .SO Government departments were represented on the defence committees, with the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, as president of the Defence Council. Work Pushed Ahead The Government had pushed ahead with the reconstruction of the naval base, and had established workshops, stores and a new armament depot. Somo of those facilities had been commenced by previous Governments, but Labour had expanded them and added to their number. There had been constructed in Auckland oil tanks to carry 12,000 tons of oil. the labour being done by New Zealanders. The Minister mentioned that the Government had purchased five airspeed Oxfords and also 30 "Wellington bombers, which would be flown to New Zealand next year by New Zealanders, who would be trained in England. Ihe Government had entered into arrangements with Great Britain whereby the latter would pay for the cost of training New Zealand pilots. Army Restored

There were in the Dominion now 29 Baffin aircraft, each of which could carry three-quarters of a ton of bombs and which would provide a second line of defence. The Government had spent £567,000 on the Air Force this year, compared with £29,000 in 1928, and had also assisted aero clubs. Operational stations would cost at least £500,000. "I do not claim that we have done everything that should be done for the defence of this country." stated Mr. Jones, "but we have done more in three years than past Governments have done in 30 years. There is £240,000 worth of stores that we want from the Old Country, but the latter's need is greater than ours. "Wo have restored tbe Army. There are about .8000 territorials—over 2000 have been posted to the reserve in the last five years—and 5000 riflemen, and we can increase the land forces when necessary. We have increased the pay of the territorials and provided them with a blue uniform." COUNTRY'S LOYALTY REMARKS BY MR. SEMPLE BRITISH PEACE EFFORTS [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] IXVERGARGJLL, Thursday. The Civic Theatre was filled to capacity last night when an address was given by the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. U. Semple. The .Minister said that New Zealand would give Britain 100 per cent loyalty. Britain had tried its utmost to prevent war, and had tried to lead the world in disarmament. The nation had taken insult after insult in trying to preserve peace, and it was still to be hoped that the efforts would not be in vain. The Minister asserted that, on tho question of loyalty or courage, he would undertake to shoot as straight as most men, and to withstand as much hardship as others. Ho would prefer to die in the defence of his country to living under the will of one man, and a lunatic at that. (Applause.) The moeting was most orderly and a vote of complete confidence in the Labour Government was carried, with one dissentient.

OFFER OF ASSISTANCE AUSTRALIAN EX-SERVICEMEN An offer of support and co-operation in the event of war from tho Australian Imperial Force Ex-Servicemen's Association has been sent to tho Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, by the honorary secretary, Mr. N. R. Chapman, on behalf of tho executive of tho association. The following reply was sent from Dunedin hv INIr. Savage:— "Thanks for the telegram. Your association's offer of co-operation is greatly appreciated."

VOLUNTEERS IN DUNEDIN NUMBER OF INQUIRIES SMALL [llY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION'] DUNEDIN, Thursday Only a small number of inquiries lias been received by the Defenco Department in Dunedin from men who desiro to enlist for -service should tho British Empire be involved in war. As there has been no call for volunteers tho department can do nothing except advise inquirers of the position. The number of men offering for the territorial forces was stated this afternoon to be normal.

REQUESTS TO MINISTER NUMEROUS A ['PLICATIONS [)IY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION'] DUNEDIN, Thursday Offers for active service in tho event, of tho British Empire being involved in war have been received in considerable numbers by the Minister qf Defenco, the lion. F. Jones, during the past few days. In some cases men offering their services are returned soldiers who served in the Great War, but there have also been offers by younger men. A communication has even been received by a woman who has expressed her willingness to serve in any capacity m. which, phe .piay .be xegmred..