THE WEAK LINK

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23649, 5 November 1938, Page 13

THE WEAK LINK

EMPIRE CHAIN OF DEFENCE NEW ZEALAND LAGGING AN AUSTRALIAN OPINION (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) CANBERRA, Nov. 3. " New Zealand is the weak link in the whole Empire chain and the strength of our sister dominion is .ital to us," said the Minister of Defence, Mr H. V. Thorby, speaking in the House of Representatives yesterday. Mr Thorby added that owing to the progress of the Australian organisation, Australia had been able to assist her sister dominion. The Minister, in his speech, which was a reply to the motion of noconfidence moved by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr J. Curtin, also defied anybody to find fault with the defence organisation being carried out in Australia. The reply of the Prime Minister, Mr Lyons, was devoted mainly to showing the way in which the Government had developed Australia's defences after finding them reduced to low strengths by the previous Labour Government. The Minister for Repatriation, Senator H. S. Foil, who represents the Minister of Defence in the Senate, stated yesterday that New Zealand was co-operating satisfactorily with Australia in defence matters. Exchanges were arranged between officers of the New Zealand and Australian Staff Corps, and New Zealand and non-commissioned officers were attending military courses in Australia. The resources of Australian munition establishments had been investigated by visiting New Zealand officers, and a considerable amount of work had been undertaken on behalf of the New Zealand Government, including supply of munitions and various types of armaments. The 50 Lockheed Hudson aeroplanes ordered from America will cost £1,250,000.

STATEMENT DENIED "WRONG INFORMATION" CANBERRA, Nov. 4. (Received Nov. 5, at 0.30 a.m.) The Minister of Defence (Mr H. V. Thorby) to-day denied that he said New Zealand was a weak link in Empire defence. He regretted that Mr Savage should have attacked him on wrong information. The statement which Mr Thorby denies was published in both the Sydney Sun and the Sydney Morning Herald. "PIECE OF IMPUDENCE" MR SAVAGE'S COMMENT WAR OFFICE WELL SATISFIED "I think it is a piece of impudence—nothing short of it," said the Prime Minister, Mr Savage, when the cablegram containing -Mr Thorby's conmments upon New Zealand's defence policy was referred to him by telephone to Wellington. The Prime Minister said that New Zealand, in common with other Empire countries, was' co-operating with the War Office, and the authorities in Britain and the majority of the Empire, seemed well satisfied with the Dominion's plans and efforts within the past three years to bring the defence system to efficiency. " Mr Thorby -should mind his own business," Mr Savage continued "New Zealand is making good progress with its scheme of defence, as, I am given to understand, is the remainder of the Empire, and Mr Thorby should talk more about his own affairs, and leave ours alone. That is all I have to say."