DEFENCE PLANS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23280, 24 February 1939, Page 10

DEFENCE PLANS

PUBLIC WORKS SHARE PART IN NEW WARFARE PREPARING AERODROMES IMPORTANCE OF ROADING [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL EEPOKTER] RAWENE, Thursday A general statement upon the defence aspect of the activities of the Public Works Department was made by the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, in a special interview with the Herald this evening. The expansion of the territorial forces, important although it was, was not everything, ho said. The mechanisation ol all arms of the forces of other countries had completely revolutionised all past conceptions of defence. "Much as wo regret the need to expend money in military preparation — money that would bo better spent in industry and housing—we are compelled to recognise tho dangers of a restless world," Mr. Semple said. "We want to carve out our destiny in peace, but no one knows when we may be called upon to defend our freedom. Movement of Population " To that end wo have speeded up tho construction of aerodromes, hangars and ground services for what is now a first line of defence, and wo are selecting more sites at strategic points as emergency landing grounds, which arc essential safety facilities for both civil and military aviation. One of the reasons that took me to Spirits Bay was to see the area at Tc Hapua, near North Cape, which would have great value in the air defence of this country. "As to roading, my programme does not overlook the fact that a proper roading system is essential to our defence. The new highway into Wellington through Ngahaurauga Gorge will enable the city to be evacuated at the rate of 00,000 an hour. If we had to depend on tho present road in tho emergency of a bombing attack, thousands would bo slaughtered owing to the slow rate of evacuation.

"Imagine the problem of mobilising men, moving even country populations and distributing food over some of tho poor and dangerous roads we have been over in the North. Tho roads would be as dangerous as the trenches. Mechanical Aids in War "The huge machines which are being used in constructing aerodromes and the major roads would themselves have great value if we had to fight an invader. They are readily mobile and I can see them being used to construct military earthworks and excavate trenches at strategic points, doing overnight what thousands of soldiers with picks and. shovels could not possibly accomplish. Our Public Works Department plant is extensive and various. It would have a hundred and one uses in war.

"We have made great progress with hangars, although delayed for a time through the lack o£ steel. The shortage of skilled tradesmen has been another handicap. I am particularly pleased, therefore, to see that Mr. J. Hodgens, M.P. for Palmerston, is being successful in securing men in Australia and some of them will find their work at aerodromes."

Many references to defence have been made by Mr. Semple during his northern tour. At Kaikohe to-day he explained that the selection of a site for an aerodrome must bo governed by its capacity to meet the needs of heavy aircraft, and, although normally to serve civil aviation, its military value must be kept constantly in mind. Some aerodromes had had to bo scrapped owing to their inadequacy and that must never happen again.