FUTURE DEFENCE PLANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 September 1934, Page 4

FUTURE DEFENCE PLANS.

The justification made in the House of Representatives by the Minister of Defence, the Hon. J. G. Cobbe, for the proposed increased expenditure upon defence forces and equipment will be considered satisfactory by all those who believe it is .a country’s duty to be in a position to defend itself from aggression. Mr. Cobbe’s indication that close cooperation with Australia would be an important feature of the defence plans for the future was also welcome, for Australia possesses means for training officers which, the Dominion would not be justified in establishing for itself. Besides which the two countries are vitally interested in each other's defence measures, and many of the problems of the future are likely to apply with equal force to the respective Governments of New Zealand and Australia. The Minister’s explanation of the intention to increase the air forces of the Dominion was perfectly logical if the need for properly organised national defence is admitted. Like Britain the Dominion cannot afford to ignore the signs and portents to be found throughout the world. They are not such as to create the feeling that force will never again be the argument used in the settlement of international problems, and so long as there, is the possibility of aggression a nation which desires to keep its self-respect must be prepared to defend itself from attack. That is all the Ministry’s proposals amount to. They include increased expenditure in aid of civil aviation, and on this point even the most ardent pacifist can accept the suggestion without qualms. Aviation in peace or war is now an accepted transport service, and it is lack of funds that has prevented its wider development. Every sensible person will hope that the conversion of commercial aeroplanes to military use will never be found necessary. At the same time advance in aeronautics is now part of any progressive nation’s plans, and New Zealand cannot afford to lag behind.