DEFENCE NEEDS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26625, 22 November 1947, Page 8

DEFENCE NEEDS

INCREASING RESPONSIBILITY V MAINTENANCE OF ADEQUATF FORCES P.A. WELLINGTON, Nov. 21. With the national sovereignty New Zealand was assuming, it must also assume the responsibilities of its own defence, said Sir William Perry, Wellington, in the Legislative Council today. Speaking on the Statute of Westminster Adoption Bill, Sir William said he hoped, the people of New Zealand would realise the extra responsibility that would devolve on them. As members of an independent nation, they must see that they provided the means in money and manpower to preserve the nation from aggression. New Zealand, as an independent nation, must do more to provide defences for the country. For too long the Dominion had leaned too heavily on Great Britain for defence. New Zealand had never done its proper share in Empire and Commonwealth defence, said Sir William, and it was not at the present time contributing, its share. He would not argue that huge forces should be maintained, but adequate forces should be maintained. Statistics would prove that New Zealand had done more than its share of Empire defence in the last two wars, said the Leader of the Council, Mr Wilson, in reply. He agreed that possibly New Zealand should take more of the financial burden of defence for the Empire and New Zealand, but other members of the Commonwealth would also have to give thought to the need for shouldering a greater portion of the defence burden. The Bill was passed without amendment.