PRECARIOUS POSITION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22964, 20 August 1936, Page 13

PRECARIOUS POSITION

DOMINION'S UNPREPAREDNESS GREAT PRIZE FOR INVADER (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, August 19. " I regard this report as being particularly unsatisfactory, because it discloses the fact that New Zealand is in a very precarious position," said Mr W. A. Bodkin (Opposition, Central Otago), when referring to the annual report of the General Officer Commanding the New Zealand Military Forces during the Defence debate in the House of Representatives to-day. "In view of the present international situation, no country can afford to be in such a state of unpreparedness as we are," Mr Bodkin said. " History has taught us that where there is a country with great natural resources it has been regarded as one suitable for invasion if it can be taken readily. New Zealand would undoubtedly be a very great prize for one of those countries which are to-day looking for outlets for their people and for a source of natural wealth." Mr Bodkin said that New Zealand possessed a man-power of more than 325,000 between the ages of 18 and 45, and it had a great asset from a protective point of view in its isolation. If its effective man-power could be well trained and equipped this country would be in the position, taking iqto account its isolation, to repel an attack. "New Zealand will never be conquered until an attacking force is actually landed here and overpowers those who are armed to repel it," Mr Bodkin added. "It is the duty of the Government and of every citizen to see that our man-power is put in a position to defend the homes and liberties of the people. It seems to me that during the past 18 years we have been living in a fool's paradise. It was said that the last war was a war to end war, and then we subscribed to a League of Nations, which has absolutely failed, but the time has arrived when the position must be faced."