NATIONAL SECURITY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22964, 20 August 1936, Page 12

NATIONAL SECURITY

THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICY ORGANISATION OF RESOURCES LESSON OF PREPAREDNESS DEFENCE MINISTER'S REVIEW (Frcm Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, August 19. A comprehensive survey of the Government's policy for the defence of the Dominion was given by the Minister of Defence (Mr F. Jones) in the defence debate in the House of Representatives to-night. A feature of his speech was his outline of the work that has been proceeding during the last two years in the organisation of national defence. Representations had been made by the British Government as far back as 1926, Mr Jones said, for the setting up in every Dominion of some organisation along the lines of the Committee of Imperial Defence. Such an organisation had now been in operation in New Zealand for two years and its functions were exactly similar to those of the English body. Its objects were to investigate in time of peace all matters affecting national security and not merely those which concerned armed forces. WORK OF COMMITTEES "At present 12 special committees are functioning in New Zealand," Mr Jones said. " Many have already submitted reports, some of which have been considered by the Cabinet. The greater part of their work, of course, is secret. A scheme has been arranged for coordination and expediting map production in New Zealand with the co-opera-tion of seven Government Departments. Efforts are being made to coordinate activities in the event of a national disaster, such as a severe earthquake, and the same arrangements would be applicable to the disorganisation that would be caused by an air raid. "Another committee representing some 20 Government departments is investigating the problem of supplies in war," continued the Minister. "By this is meant supplies for the community at large. A committee is investigating the supply of oil fuel and lubricants, and also a rationing scheme for the provision of refrigerated space. In the event of war and a breakdown of overseas transport meat killings could be stopped, but it would be necessary to know the exact facilities for the cold storage of butter, cheese, and other goods, and all details in that connection. Other committtees are dealing with communications, including cables and wireless, man power, shipping, and meteorological services. A survey is also being made of all forms of transport so that complete information will be available as to number of .motor vehicles available in case of emergency and their suitability for special kinds of work. "All this work is proceeding steadily," Mr Jones proceeded. " The Government holds that il is far better to take steps now to examine fully the resources of the country. If war comes—and we sincerely hope that it will not come—we should be able to avoid much of the confusion and chaos which occurred in 1914." LARGER CRUISERS , Dealing with the specific defence services, the Minister said an undertaking had been given to the British Government that after the Dominion had completed its contributions towards the cost of the Singapore base New Zealand would be prepared to maintain a third cruiser. That arrangement had subsequently been altered at the request of the British Government, so thai the Dominion would maintain two cruisers larger than those which had formerly served on the station. The first of these new cruisers, the Achilles, would arrive next month, and the second, the Leander. would arrive in August next year. An additional £63,000 would be required annually for the maintenance of each cruiser. Much reorganisation work was necessary at Devonport naval base, continued the Minister, and new stores and workshops would be required to obviate the necessity for sending the new cruisers to England for their biennial refits. At present negotiations were proceeding with the Auckland Harbour Board for the acquisition of eight acres of land to be used for naval defence purposes, and within a month or so legislation might be brought down for taking over that land. The expenditure on the reconstruction of the base would amount to £250.000, and it was hoped that the bulk of the work would be completed next year. The Kauri Point armament depot would also be completed nexl year at a total cost of £76.500. In the matter of naval recruiting, the number of New Zealand ratings had been increased by 75 per cent, and Mr Jones said that a very fine type of young man was coming forward for service. It was hoped that before long the division would be manned almost completely by New Zealanders. Some difficulty was being experienced in training expert artificers, but satisfactory arrangements had been made for special training courses in Australia. A higli standard was being maintained by the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, and the services of these men in manning merchant vessels in time of war would be invaluable COAST DEFENCES The development of fortifications and coast defence was also ■ reviewed by the Minister. He stated that a report prepared in New Zealand in 1932 had been recommended for adoption almost in its entirety by British experts, and in 1934 Sir Maurice Hankey had visited the Dominion and inspected the proposed coast defences. The only alteration he suggested was that Motutapu Island should be the site if the coastal defences for Auckland. The whole scheme would take six years to complete, commencing from 1934-35, and the total cost would be about £1,000,000 So far £360.000 had been expended, and £170.000 was provided in this year's Estimates. In planning coast defences consideration was being paid to a report by the Committee of Imperial Defence that they should be organised on a basis of co-operation between the three defence services Defences were especially necessary at Auckland and Wellington. Dealing with the question ol supplies. Mr Jones said that some orders were being placed with Australia In some instances it was difficult to procure supplies from Great Britain because of the rush of orders there, and there was every reason for a development in the scheme of obtaining sup plies from Australia If Great Britain became involved in another wai it would be difficult to obtain supplies from that distance THE TERRITORIAL FORCE " In speaking of the territorial force, I do not wish it to appear that I am endeavouring to criticise." Mr Jones said " When we analyse figures, how ever, the training position is not satis factory The strength of the force a* at June 1 was 8294 During the year 3737 men left the force for various reasons, and there were 3411 new enrolments Under these conditions halt the force leaves every year, and half the force consists of recruits. I is impossible to have a trained force while that state of affairs continues For the year just ended 40 per cent of the force completed camp training compared with 60 per cent, in 1935. For out of camp training the respective figures were 40 per cent, and 58 per cent. Australia is apparently faced with the same problem. " What we have to decide," said the

Minister, "is whether a territorial force is necessary. If it is, it must be brought up to the highest standard of efficiency and we must seriously consider whether we are getting full value for the expenditure incurred." COMPARISON OF COSTS Mr Jones quoted the following figures giving the amount paid per head of population on defence in various parts of the Empire:—

Those figures, Mr Jones said, showed that New Zealand had not been unmindful of her obligations with regard to Empire defence. She had played her part in the past and would continue to play her part in the future. MECHANISATION PROCESS "These are the days of mechanisation," Mr Jones said, " and there nave been rapid changes in the types and designs of military equipment Antiaircraft units are in process of formation towards complete mechanisation. In Auckland and Wellington there are four anti-aircraft guns tractor drawn, two ammunition lorries, one stores lorry, six anti-aircraft searchlights lorry transported, one stores lorry for searchlights, and two section commanders' cars. Orders have been placed for the wheels necessary to convert our present horse-drawn medium artillery to that suitable for faster mechanical traction, and experiments have been conducted in the use of commercial lorry chassis as machine gun carriers. These tests have proved quite successful. The Government is also considering adding motor cyclist, rifle, and Lewis gun detachments to certain existing territorial force units. This will provide a very mobile force for emergency or protective action. " So far as motorised infantry is concerned," said Mr Jones, "statistics show that New Zealand possesses one motor vehicle to every six persons. This potential reserve of transport would be available for the carriage of infantry wherever possible in time of emergency." Mr Jones also quoted the following figures giving details of citizen soldiers in relation to the rest of population:—

IMPORTANCE OF AVIATION "I believe that aviation will play a big part in the next war," said Mr Jones, " and also that it will be of increasing importance with regard to transport. This year we intend to spend £300,000 on aerodromes throughout the country, and most of them will have a real defence value. The two most important aerodromes are at Hobsonville and Wigram, and here definite plans have been adopted for the provision of new hangars, workshops and barracks. The total estimates of cost are £128,239 at Hobsonville and £124,735 at Wigram. Up to the end of last financial year £78.896 had been expended on both these works. This year we propose to spend £62,000. next year £BO.OOO. and in 1938 £40,000." The Minister gave details of the aircraft at present maintained at Hobsonville and Wigram, and stated that there was urgent need for new machines. Last year the Government had failed to order an additional flight of trainer aircraft, and the present position was that orders had to be placed for delivery 12 months ahead. Two-engined aeroplanes were also a necessity. The Government had already agreed to an increase in the Air Force personnel. It was also possible that a training school might be established at Wigram for both civil and defence aviation. Some time ago, proceeded the Minister, the British Government had made an offer that for young men who had been trained as pilots for a year in New Zealand it would pay an agreed sum per man, train each man for a period of four years in England, and then allow him to return to New Zealand. It was to be hoped that that offer or some similar offer might provide further facilities for training. "South Africa has recently bought a number of commercial aeroplanes for dual purposes," Mr Jones said. " We are rather taken with that idea. Machines might well be bought that can be used for commercial air services and which are capable of conversion into military aircraft should the need arise. COUNTRY NOT IN DANGER " We do not want scaremongers," Mr Jones concluded. "I do not believe that we in this country are in any positive danger so long as Britain continues to hold her own in European affairs. The only possible danger that we can see at the moment is from a raiding cruiser or an armed merchantman laying mines round our coast. It is estimated that the largest enemy force that could be landed in New Zealand would be about 200. One possible enemy is persistently referred to Perhaps that nation, too, has just as much to fear as we have. We must face up to the position, however, and see that New Zealand is protected. "The Government is not going to shirk its responsibilities," the Minister added. " It is not - question of spending a lot of money, but of seeing that we get full value for all our expenditure." MINISTER CONGRATULATED FRANK STATEMENT TO HOUSE ATTITUDE OF THE OPPOSITION FULL CO-OPERATION OFFERED (From Our Parliamentary Rkforter) WELLINGTON, August 19. A suggestion that a committee comprising four members of the Government and two members of the Opposition might be set up to study defence questions was made by Mr J. G. Coates (Opposition, Kaipara), who followed the Minister of Defence. Mr Coates paid a tribute to the Minister for his helpful and comprehensive survey The House and the country. Mr Coates said, were indebted to the Minister for his very valuable contribution to the debate. It was not often that members bad the opportunity of hearing so frank a statement from a Minister, and he wished to commend him for the very frank way in which he had placed his cards on the table. . Europe to-day was almost a powder magazine, continued Mr Coates. None of them, he said, knew what was likely to happen in the future. In the twinkling of an eye one country or another miKht be involved in a conflict. At the very least he believed there existed an" element of nervousness in the minds of the citizens. New Zealands e-onomic svstem relied on overseas markets, and, in view of the act that our exports had to travel many waters, we should take steps to protect ->ur trade routes as far as practicable Mr Coates suggested that aftei sea defence the next line of defence should be close co-operation between the navy and the air arms in the protection of our large harbours and in the general defence of the coast. It seemed that co-operation with the navy was essential in the general defence of the Dominion but there could not be this cooperation unless the country had the machines and the necessary equipment to go with them The Minister of Defence had expressed the view .hat there were commercial machines capable of doing the job. but New Zealand did not possess that type of aeroplane nor the machines to carry out any effective co-operation with the navy. Splendid work was being done by the aero clubs in training flyers. Mr Coates said, but he believed that the time had arrived for a little more encouragement to be given to clubs. He

emphasised the necessity for training young men who in future might be asked to handle the machines and equipment which would be used in defending the Dominion. AN EMPIRE BASIS The conviction that any defence measures taken in New Zealand must be part of an Empire plan was expressed by Mr W. J. Lyon (Govt., Waitemata). <-"It has been said that each dominion should be responsible for its own defence," said Mr Lyon, "but let us not delude ourselves. It would be hopeless to try to defend New Zealand without support from other countries of the Empire. If a foreign power came to New Zealand with the intention of invading and occupying our country we would not have the faintest hope of repelling the attack. If our defence is not to be part ol one Imperial whole then we will have no detence that is worth the name." „ _ , ~ Mr Lyon said that New Zealands naval forces consisted of some light cruisers, but they would be of no use unless they were part of some organised Pacific scheme. They could not of themselves resist an attack by large battleships or by bombing planes. It would be possible to accommodate in Waitemata Harbour a complete battle cruiser squadron, or for that matter a complete navy if necessity arose. With adequate development he thought it might be possible to dock and refit the whole China squadron in the harbour. OTHER ASPECTS DISCUSSED Mr W. P. Endean (Opposition, Parnell) supported compulsory military training, which he considered was just and democratic. The present Government, he thought, was standing up to its defence obligations fairly well. Mr S. G. Holland (Opposition, Christchurch North) urged the development of closer ties between the British Empire and the United States of America in the interests of peace, and he emphasised that New Zealand should bear that in mind when the question of tariff concessions to America was being considered, with the object of fostering cordial relationships among the English-speaking peoples. "In order to defend New Zealand we must have a healthy people, and to have a healthy people we must feed them adequately," said Dr D. G. M'Millan (Government, Dunedin West). Dr M'Millan described the League of Nations as nothing more than a modern edition of the old Holy Alliance. As it was constituted to-day. he said, the League could offer no effective protection against war. It would be more aptly described as the "League of Hallucinations." Dr M'Millan was discussing the Ltague further when the Speaker suggested that he was getting wide of the subject before the House. He then attacked capitalism as the major cause of wars. It was the demand of the capitalistic countries for . export markets which caused warfare, he said. In New Zealand the following facts would have to be faced:—First, no country could defend itself if its motive power came from overseas; secondly, if New Zealand spent £10,000.000 on defence with its present population, the country would not have a hope of defending itself; thirdly, neither by armament nor disarmament would we gain freedom or security. It was not attacking the root cause. The best contribution that New Zealand could make to world peace would be to demonstrate the practicability of the Socialistic order of living. The debate was interrupted by the adjournment of the House at 10.30 p.m.

Army. Navy, Air. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d Great Britain.. l 1 5 1 13 0 0 17 0 Australia .. .. 0 7 4 0 8 10 0 4 0 Canada .. 0 4 0 0 10 0 2 2 South Africa 0 10 41 0 3 0 0 0 7 New Zealand 0 5 7 0 8 3 0 2 e The totals were as follows for all branches:— Per head. £ s. d. Great Britain .. . t .. 3 11 5 Australia ,, ..102 Canada ,, ..072 South Africa .. ., .. 0 13 Hi New Zealand .. .. 0 16 9

England and Scotland . . 1 per 310 . 1 per 209 South Africa . 1 per 130 . 1 per 842 New Zealand . 1 per 172