IS NEW ZEALAND A WEAK LINK?

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21186, 5 November 1938, Page 17

IS NEW ZEALAND A WEAK LINK?

EMPIRE CHAIN OF DEFENCE Exception Taken to Criticism Federal Defence Minister’s Denial Oolted Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received November 4, 10.55 p.m.) CANBERRA, November 4. The Federal Minister of Defence (Mr Thorby) to-day denied he had said that New Zealand was the weak link in Empire defence. He regretted that Mr Savage should have attacked him on wrong information. [The statement which Mr Thorby denies was published in both “The Sydney Sun” and “The Sydney Morning Herald.”! The Prime Minister, Mr J. A. Lyons, replying to the no-confidence motion in the Federal House of Representatives, devoted his speech mainly to showing the way in which the Government had developed Australia’s defences after finding them reduced to low strengths by the previous Labour Government. The Defence Minister, Mr H. V. C. Thorby, in his speech, defied anybody to find fault with the defence organisation which was being carried out. “New Zealand is the weak link in the whole Empire chain,” he said “and the strength of our sister Dominion is vital to us.” He added that owing to the progress of the Australian organisation Australia had been able to assist her sister Dominions. Senator Foil, who represents the Minister of Defence, Mr H. V. C. Thorby, in the Senate, stated on Thursday that New Zealand was co-operating satisfactorily with Australia in defence matters. Exchanges were arranged between officers on the New Zealand and Australian staff corps and New Zealand officers and non-commissioned officers were attending military courses in Australia. The resources of the Australian munition establishments had been investigated by visiting New Zealand officers and a considerable amount of work had been undertaken on behalf of the New Zealand Government, including the supply of munitions and various types of armaments.