DEPENDENCE OF EMPIRE UNITS

Southland Times, Issue 23342, 28 October 1937, Page 6

DEPENDENCE OF EMPIRE UNITS

DEFENCE MEASURES DUTIES OF NEW ZEALAND (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, October 27. Higher rates of pay for territorials, particularly when they were in camp, were advocated by Mr J Hargest (Nat., Awarua) during the debate an the Army Board Bill in the House of Representatives today. Mr Hargest suggested that the Government should do more to encourage recruits to the forces and indicated that while he supported the Bill, he would take the opportunity later to suggest two or three small amendments which he thought would improve the system. “The importance of this measure, at this time particularly, transcends party politics,” said Mr Hargest. ‘Membeis of the Opposition have shown their willingness to assist in making the defence forces of the Dominion effective and modern and would like to see the Government set out just what amount it is prepared to spend time to this end. The Government could then enlist the cooperation of the Opposjtion in finding out the best possible way to spend that money. If this country were involved in war, we would be no longer critical of the Government, and I for one would be prepared to offer my services here or on the field if it became necessary. That, I believe, is the view of everyone here.” THREE VITAL ASPECTS Mr Hargest emphasized that in the defence of New Zealand there weie three vital aspects which had to be given consideration. They were the League of Nations, which he said, was still playing an important part in maintaining peace, the British Empire, in the defence system of which the Dominion was linked, and the defence system of New Zealand itself. The Dominion would not only have to be prepared to defend herself in the event of aggression, but would also have to contribute to the common defence of the Empire because of the inter-dependence of the units of the Empire. He was glad to see that the Prime Ministers of New Zealand and Australia and of other parts of the Empire recognized that inter-dependence in defence, assenting as New Zealand did, to that principle. It was necessary to get an adequate defence system for our own shores and then create a force that might be a striking power where it was needed in some other part of the Empire. Mr Hargest expressed regret that while the number of men under training in Australia was increasing, the number in New Zealand last year had shown a decrease. . Something would have to be done to encourage increased numbers of New Zealanders to undertake training. That object could be achieved by increasing the rates of pay for men under training and for territorials in camp, the issue of two sets of uniforms to trainees, free travel for the best of the men in the different units and the avoidance of administrative changes which might involve loss of name and status for famous old regiments which had built up traditions.