DEFENCE POLICY

Taranaki Daily News, 13 September 1934, Page 7

DEFENCE POLICY

GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSAL

STRENGTHENING OF FORCES MORE GUNS FOR THE COAST EXTENSION OF AIR FORCE TRAINING OF OFFICERS

By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Government’s policy regarding the defence of New Zealand was explained by the Hon. J. G. Cobbe in reply to Labour criticism in the House of Representatives to-day. Mr. Cobbe said the guns coming to New Zealand were secured through the War Office. They could rest assured that nothing old would be among them. For the past three years the department had curtailed expenditure wherever reasonably possible. The change in world conditions and modern methods of attack and defence of the nations made it necessary that New Zealand should take such steps as existing conditions rendered necessary for the security of her people, trade and territory. It was not forgotten that the policy of the Empire and the Dominions was purely' defensive and not in any way aggressive, but they could not overlook that New Zealand stood or fell with the Empire. They could not ignore the fact that Europe was seething cauldron to-day, and there should be no conflict in view as to what was New Zealand’s duty in order to meet any arising emergency. The Government was not an aggressor and wished to avoid trouble, not to seek it, but when the . country was at stake it claimed the right to take steps to protect the country, and in taking any steps necessary it believed it had the support of every man and woman in New Zealand. Mr. W. E. Barnard (Labour, Napier): ’You will not have the support of the Labour Party. LIAISON WITH AUSTRALIA. Mr. Cobbe said it was the intention to develop the existing liaison with Australia. As the first step in that direction the Government had decided to resume the training of officer candidates for the New Zealand Permanent Forces at the Royal Military College of Australia. Four such cadets would be sent to the college early in the new year. It was also hoped to effect an interchange of officers for varying periods in the near future. It must be recognised that New Zealand had a long coastline to protect; consequently the limiting factor of physical geography entered very largely into defence preparations.

In a country such as New Zealand the air arm of the defence forces became of enormous importance. That arm would be very materially increased. The Government had at present on order from England two flights of torpedocarrying aircraft and one flight of coastal reconnaisance aircraft, all to be manned by the regular personnel, in addition to the present nucleus squadrons of the territorial air force. It was intended to effect the progressive replacement of machines available for use in the territorial air force, so that ultimately they would be fully equipped with trainer aircraft of the most modem design. Mr. Cobbe said he believed the Dominion could provide airmen who. when fully trained for initiative and pluck would be second to none. He also thought it advisable to send a young air force officer to the Air Staff College at Andover, England. It was also intended to provide anti-aircraft guns at certain vulnerable points, also to install additional' armaments in .the existing coast defences. The present guns had not the necessary range for counterbombardment demanded by modem conditions.. The guns to be installed would be of the latest design and have a range of 20,000 yards. CIVIL AVIATION. A considerably increased amount had been allocated for civil aviation. It was most desirable that that branch should be encouraged. The advance of £47,792 in the naval vote was accounted for by extra fuel oil, extra naval stores, refitting of the warship Dimedin, extra training, alterations to works and necessary machinery. The expenditure for land defence aviation in 1933-34 in Britain was £1 4s a head, in South Africa 7s 4d, in Canada 4s 2d, in Australia 7s 2d, and in New Zealand 3s Bd. New Zealand had something worth defending. z The steps taken were imperative.’Eyery

young man of average health and strength should be drilled. It was difficult to understand the mentality of those who failed to realise the dangers that surrounded a country whose inhabitants were too careless or too effeminate to defend it. The Government believed it to be its duty to strengthen the defences, and despite what was said against it, it was going to do its duty. Mr. D. G. Sullivan (Labour, Avon) said such a speech as that just delivered by the Minister had the effect of stimulating the war spirit and furthering the interests of armament firms.