HOME DEFENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23886, 14 August 1939, Page 10

HOME DEFENCE

THE GOVERNMENT'S PRO- ' GRAMME "CANNOT AFFORD TO REST" MR SEMPLE'S APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE fPer United Press Association; BLENHEIM, Aug. 13. " We cannot afford to rest while the dictators aye looking for territory to develop, even if it is territory to which they are not entitled," declared the Minister of Public Works (Mr R. Semple) in the course of a reference to the progress of the defence works in New Zealand through the adoption of mechanised methods. The Minister was speaking at the opening yesterday of the 330-foot reinforced concrete bridge over the Taylor River, giving direct allweather access to the Blenheim airport as well as an alternative route to the new military aerodrome at Woodbourne. With a 24-foot roadway and a total length, including approaches, of 28 chains, the bridge cost over £ 10,000. Mr Semple, complimenting the contractor, a young New Zealander, observed that, like himself, he must have been born in a hurry, for he got the bridge through in good time, and was now making excellent progress with the contracts at the new Air Force station. This eventually would cost over £400,000. Contracts totalling £94,000 had already been let. "Some people say that is a huge expenditure," added the Minister. " I would certainly sooner be spending such money on roads and homes, but we have been i informed by experts that the Dominion's first line of defence will be in the air, so we have to be ready to meet an enemy 400 miles out at sea, and either give him the tip to'go back or send him to the bottom. New Zealand is a country of great possibilities, and if we have such a treasure we must make sure we are in a position to defend it if we are challenged. "We have selected Blenheim as one of the centres of this activity, and before long there will be between 500 and 600 young men at Woodbourne with some of the finest aeroplanes you can buy." Speaking subsequently at a local body luncheon, Mr Semple returned to the subject of defence, when he appealed to the people generally to sink their political or other differences and co-operate in what was being done to consolidate the defences of the country. "My own view is that the British nation is the sheet anchor of democracy, and if it goes, civilisation goes with it.'