DEFENCE OF DOMINION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22366, 13 September 1934, Page 6

DEFENCE OF DOMINION

. STRENGTHENING OUR RESOURCES BOMBING AIRCRAFT ORDERED LONG-RANGE GUNS FOR COASTAL FORTS (F*om Out Paeliamentart Reporter) WELLINGTON, September 12. An outline of the Government’s plans for an- extension of the defensive resources of the Dominion was given to the House of Representatives to-day by the Minister of Defence (Mr J. G. Cobbe). The Minister, who argued chat New Zealand must not fall behind other parts of the Empire in the matter of defence, indicated the intention of the Government to develop a further liaison with Australia, to strengthen its Air Force and coastal defence, and to train members of the territorial force to take over work that would probably have to be done by experts for some months. Although Australia and New Zealand had a common interest in defence, the Minister said, the circumstances governing their separate defensive preparations were not exactly alike. Australia had a much greater population and had developed the steel industry to an extent not possible in New Zealand. Her vast areas of level country rendered it possible for the rapid transport of the armoured fighting vehicles which she herself was able to manufacture but which even if New Zealand could make would be of little use here because of the broken nature of the country. Australia had also made great advances in the manufacture of heavy gun ammunition, which fact because of the closeness of the Commonwealth was of considerable interest to New Zealand. CADETS FOR SYDNEY “It is the intention of the Government to develop further the existing liaison with Australia,” said Mr Cobbe. “As a first step in this direction the Government has decided to resume the training of officer candidates for the New Zealand Permanent Forces at the Royal Military College of Australia. .Four such cadets will be sent to Sydney early in the new year. It is also hoped to effect an interchange of officers for varying periods in the near future. “It must be recognised,” continued the Minister, “ that New Zealand has a long coastline to protect, and thus the limiting factor of physical geography enters very largely into our defence preparations. This seems to tend towards the conclusion that although the older recognised means of defence are of great importance and cannot be neglected, yet the extraordinary development of aviation means that in a country such as New Zealand the air arm of the defence forces has become of enormous importance. BOMBING AIRCRAFT ON ORDER “In order to strengthen our powers of resistance and observation in areas where invading aircraft might land, it has been decided materially to increase the air arm. jWe have at present on order from England two flights of tor-pedo-carrying aircraft and one flight of coastal reconnaissance aircraft, all to be manned by a regular personnel in addition to the present nucleus squadrons of the territorial air force. The aircraft we are obtaining will be of the very latest type. It is intended to effect a progressive replacement of the machines available for the use of the territorial air force so that ultimately they will be fully equipped with trainer aircraft of the most modern design. “ From what I know of our young New Zealanders,” remarked the Minister, “ I believe that'our Dominion can provide airmen who, when fully trained, will for initiative and pluck be second to none. One of our young Air Force officers will be sent to the Air Staff College at Andover, England, where he will be thoroughly trained in aircraft details. “It is also intended to provide antiaircraft guns. .at certain vulnerable points. As the operation of these guns involves a high degree of skill and training they will at first require to be chiefly manned by the regular personnel until such time as members of the Territorial Force can be trained to the necessary standard. MORE EFFECTIVE COAST DEFENCE “It is further intended to install additional armament in the existing coast defences. Our present guns, while still serviceable and of value against a close attack, have not the necessary range for the counter-bombardment demanded by modern conditions. The guns it is proposed to install on the advice of the English authorities will be of the very latest design, and will have a range of 20,000 yards, as against the 12,000 yards of the present guns.” The Minister said that these material improvements in defence would mean that many highly trained and experienced men would have to be employed at first, but that it was fully expected that the aptitude and keenness of the Territorials would soon fit them to undertake the work. It had been found necessary to provide funds for the enlargement of the existing buildings, especially for the housing of aircraft, and certain land'had been acquired for coastal defence purposes. A considerably increased amount had been allocated for civil aviation and the Minister considered it most desirable that this branch should be encouraged. Should the necessity ever arise Now Zealand would have in those trained in the civil branch a competent and reliable body of men. INCREASED NAVAL VOTE The advance of £47,792 in the naval vote was accounted for by a number of necessary items such as extra fuel oil. extra naval stores, the refitting of H.M.S. Dunedin, extra training to works, and necessary machinery. “It should be remembered,” the Minister added, “ that at a later date the Diomede and Dunedin will be replaced by cruisers of the Leander type.” A PER CAPITA COMPARISON Mr Cobbe went on to say that tho expenditure per capita on defence was much lower in New Zealand than in other parts of the Empire. In Great Britain defence cost the people £1 a head, in South Africa 7s 4d a bead, in Canada 4s 2d a head, and in Australia /s 2d a head, whereas New Zealand’s defence cost was only 3s 8d a head. J lie last defence vote" had been underspent by nearly £19,000, so that the actual expenditure was less than the figure shown.