NAVAL DEFENCE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 940, 9 December 1933, Page 28 (Supplement)

NAVAL DEFENCE.

Minister’s Strong Reply to Criticism. SLIGHTING REFERENCES. (" Star ” Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, December 9. Slighting references to the appropriation of £405,245 on Naval Defence, which were made by three members of the Opposition, drew a vigorous reply from the Minister of Defence (the Hon J. G. Cobbe) in the House last night. “Is the Minister contemplating ’another war on the Pacific and does he think our tin-pot navy in New Zealand would frighten the Germans, or Japs, or anyone else who might come into the Pacific?” demanded Mr Langstone (Waimarino), who in criticising expenditure on target practice and naval exercises said the money could be spent to beter purpose on bread than on powder. There would be more justification for expenditure on aerial defence. Mr Carr (Timaru) described the New Zealand division as a lilliputian navy and a replica of the people’s desire to have toys. For all the use the division was likely to be it was a farce to maintain one in Dominion waters. According to Mr Lee (Gre y Lynn) there was widespread doubt as to whether the country was obtaining value for its naval defence expenditure While still holding that the development of New Zealand was its bc*t line of defence he considered more efficiency from the navy could be obtained under a reduced expenditure. , “If we are determined to have a killing machine,” he added, “let us have the most efficient killing machine.” Sorry to Hear Sentiments. The Hon J. G. Cobbe said he was very sorry to hear the sentiments expressed by Mr Langstone and Mr Carr. He was certain they did not represent the official Opposition view-point. Speaking with some feeling the Minister added, “The British navy has made our Empire and the British flag has been seen in practically every quarter of the globe. I am sorry we had to listen to the statements of the members I have mentioned.

Mr Carr: It made the opium trade possible. “Although we have only two cruisers,” the Minister replied, “the men on them would be prepared to do their duty in any emergency. In the past history of the Empire it has been recorded that even one or two small ships have not been afraid to face overwhelming odds. Take Sir Richard Grenville and his little ship— Mr Fraser (Wellington Central) : Is that on the Estimates? The chairman: The Minister must not introduce matters not on the Estimates. Of Considerable Value. Mr Cobbe contended that the navy in New Zealand was of considerable value. If there were no division the country would at once appreciate the absence of that degree of protection which it now afforded. Replying to criticism of the expenditure on exercises, Mr Cobbe smilingly pointed out that unless the units had practice the gunners could not be expected to shoot accurately. Mr Lee: Do you think you are getting the best results for the money you are spending? The Minister: Considering we have only two cruisers here, we are getting excellent results. You cannot say anything against the efficiency of our navy. Mr Cobbe added that the New Zealand division was providing a trainingground for young New Zealanders, and 55 per cent of the crews were New Zealanders. Applications for positions were remarkable. Mr Lee: Recruiting is good in times of unemployment. Interjections. Interjections by Mr Langstone at this stage provoked a rebuke from the chairman, who said that if the member did not restrain himself he would have to take action against him. Mr Langstone: You can take action. “ The estimates are so small that we cannot be proud of them,” declared Mr Hargest (Invercargill), who said the expenditure was only five shillings per head of population, and it provided protection of the longest trade route in the world. The sentiments expressed by Messrs Carr, Langstone and Lee were not those of the majority of the Opposition or the great bulk of the people of New Zealand. A patriotic speech by Mr Sykes (Masterton) was interrupted by comment by Mr Parry (Auckland Central), “Now sing ‘God Save the King,’ ” while when Mr Sykes referred to Britain’s example, Mr Parry again offered advice, “Talk about the good old British stock.” Mr Fraser (Wellington Central) suggested that when the House discussed the Estimates it should do so reasonably and not with senile sentimentality. The chairman: Order! “ I was not referring exclusively to the last speaker,” replied Mr Fraser, who said that although Mr Hargest had rhapsodied about naval expenditure, he had never heard him longing for increased expenditure on food and clothing for the half-starved children of New Zealand. Mr Hargest: Who is on sob stuff now ? Mr Fraser: He runs away. Mr Hargest: That is untrue. Mr Fraser: He fires his shots and then clears out of the House. He has become notorious for that. The chairman: Order! You must came back to the Estimates. “If we are going in for defence, should we not have first-class cruisers?” asked Mr Wright (Wellington Suburbs), who expressed a fear that in the event of an engagement New Zealand’s little navy would not get a shot in. Mr Parry: But they would play the ukelele.