GROWING STRENGTH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24911, 9 May 1942, Page 4

GROWING STRENGTH

DOMINION DEFENCE ; , AN ENCOURAGING REVIEW (F.0.P.R.) WELLINGTON. May 8. “More tanks, carriers, transport, rifles, anti-aircraft guns and munitions are in use and’ in store in New Zealand,” the Minister of Defence, Mr F. Jones, said in his speech in the Budget debate in the House of Representatives to-dav. He reported that a combined headquarters had been formed to plan for the combating of any action of enemy forces. “Combined headquarters, receiving intelligence from day to day. could map out what the enemy was likely to do. The War Cabinet was in close touch with headquarters “It is all very well for people to criticise the war effort of New Zealand, but our difficulty is to go but and explain exactly what has been done, Mr Jones said An administrative planning committee, with supply officers of the three services and with the United States represented, had been set up. Private and Government workshops were producing stores and munitions. Naval Forces The number of men going overseas from the naval training establishment, the Minister added, had been reduced because with mors ships more men would be utilised in New Zealand. Representations had been made to the Admiralty to allow more skilled officers to come to New Zealand to train the staff and a large number was being sent. For the intricate work of mining which would be carried out in these waters additional minesweeping craft would be provided in New Zealand. The Dominion’s navy was stronger to-day than at any other time. Dealing with the army, the Minister said that additional equipment required more man-power. Whether additional men would have to be called was a question which would have to be faced in the future. It might be necessary, for the Government wanted to have every man possible trained for the defence of the country. Some would say that the building of emergency camps on racecourses was wasteful, but the men had to .be made comfortable while other camps were being completed. No fewer than 2500 tents to accommodate 20,000 men had been lost, but tents and huts were being provided, and he hoped to have the men more comfortably housed before the winter set in.

“The position in regard to equipment and stores has improved considerably.” Mr Jones said. “We are stronger to-day than at any other time in our history, but that does not mean that we have all we need. We have to go a long way before we have all that we require.” Welcome assistance had come from Britain, the United States, South Africa, and Australia, although not much had come from South Africa. More Men from Overseas

Speaking of the new syllabus of army training. Mr Jones said he thought that members of the 'War Cabinet were agreed that there had been far too much of the barracksquare idea in the past. Men who had learned the lessons of this war had been brought back to carry out training to most the new tactics adopted by the enemy. More officers and n’.c.o.’s were coming back, and he was satisfied that with these trained instructors the country would have an excellent force.

' With the equipment coming for the air force, New Zealand could be more adequately defended, the Minister said. The Empire air training scheme was to be reviewed this month at a conference at Ottawa, and it might be desirable to link up air training with the United States. More thari 40 aerodromes were being extended, and new aerodromes were being constructed. The arrival of aircraft had brought problems of maintenance, personnel, defence, and dispersal., Following representations to Great Britain, the Dominion was obtaining the services of a number of Royal Air Force men,, some of them New Zealanders. “We are better trained, better equipped, and better fitted for the task ahead.” Mr Jones concluded. "I am not trying to make out that our forces are trained to a 100 per cent, standard. We know that is not so, because a large number of the men in the army are recruits, but our people are. husilv engaged. They realise . the importance of getting the forces trained to the highest standard.” _ % Cause for Confidence “If any visitors corns herefrom the East they are going to get a warm reception,” said Mr C. W. Boswell (Govt., Bay of Islands). “If any member of the House cares to go to the north he will return with his backbone firmer and his confidence in the Government and army solid. - ’ "The army is doing a great job up there,” he added. “ and if the enemy attempts a landing he will need a large force. It would be foolish to say that we are invincible, but we are well prepared.”