DEFENCE OF N.Z

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 153, 30 June 1934, Page 8

DEFENCE OF N.Z

EMPIRE IMPERILLED RETURNED MEN'S CONCERN ACTION REQUIRED Opposition to a resolution which after endorsing the efforts oi the Bri iish Government to secure world peace went on to urge a strengthening of the Defence Forces of the Dominion was expressed by a minority of delegates al the recent Dominion R.S.A. conference The full text of the resolution was as follows: — That this council sincerely appro viates the efforts of the British Government to secure world-wide peace and prays for continued labours ir this direction. It considers, how ever, that the great disparity ii armaments of the United Kingdou and the Dominions, as compared with those of other Powers, is such thai the secretary of the Empire is im perilled. Further, the state of thf Defence Forves of New Zealand to day is causing grave concern. It therefore urges the New Zealani Government, in consultation with the Empire authorities, to take sue! measures as will ensure the Dominion being reasonably insured by the adequacy both in strength and effivi ency of its air, sea, and land forces: and to prepare a plan for the ’coin pulsory co-operation of the whole 01 the country’s resources should mobi lisation become necessary. In moving the adoption of the remit Mr. H. L. Paterson (Dunedin) sail that returned soldiers must recognisi that although they had won.a legacj for their children those children mus

keep it for themselves, and the sooner the ex-servicemen urged the necessity for an adequate defence force in New Zealand the better it would be for the country. “If we do not.” ne added, “we are letting our own country down, the country we thought enough of at one time to fight for.” Several speakers referred to the present strength of the New Zealand Forces, and one remarked that at piesent there was not one up-to-date fighting aeroplane in the country, while <fhe position in regard to the land forces was pit’able. Lessons Forgotten. Mr. W. E. Leadley (Christchurch) moved as an amendment that all the words after “direction” be deleted. He said that al] should be proud that the greatest force for peace in the world to-day was the British Empire. They had followed with keen interest the efforts of the British representatives to secure world disarmament, but still there were some nations that had forgotten the lessons of war and its ♦rrible price, and were embarking on ix» armaments race. To his mind the latter part of the resolution was asking the R.S.A. to fall into step with those nations. It might be that defence was the main purpose, but that was what France, Germany Japan , and Russia were doing to-dav. and when they had perfected their fighting machines it would take very little to start another war. No one realised the horror and tragedy of war more than those who bad gone through one. Mr. Leadley said he believed that if the resolution were put to all returned soldiers in the Dominion they would turn it down, because it would give the people the impression that the R.S.A. was in favour of war as the best means of settling disputes between nations. Rather they

should support every effort that was ! being made for concluding a world : peace. Mr. A. P. Postlewaitc (Auckland) ; agreed that the resolution as a whole ; savoured of militarism. Further, if the i country had money to spend on defence • it had money to provide for those returned men who were in need. Mr. E. H. Herbert (Ekctahuna) said ’ that Mr. Leadley had misunderstood 1 the resolution. Its very essence was j support of the iMyemcnt for world i peace, but there was no logic in being j unprepared for an emergency. In any : ease, the young people of the country j would be bettor off for a little training. New Zealand’s Share Another delegate emphasised the plight’of the British mercantile marine on which so much had depended in the last war, and urged that New Zealand was not doing its full share towards Empire defence. The Dominion president (MajorGeneral Sir A. H. Russell) said they all knew the state of the world at the present time. The British Empire was not losing its prestige on the inoral claims for disarmament; he doubted if it had ever stood higher in that respect. However, the Empire was at the mercy not of a combination of Powers, but possibly one Power. The whole thing was the will to peace and in feeling that it was a duty to fight in a just cause if necessary. But to be able to fight in a just cause it was essential to be prepared. It was no use depending on the Mother Country all the time or waiting until the last moment before taking action. New Zealand had her obligations to the Mother Country and to the other Dominions to play her part. Mr. Leadley said that in asking the Government to spend so much money on defence the R.S.A. was not living up to the highest ideals of service to its members. Mr. Paterson, in reply said they could not afford to be blind to the facts. The resolution had been presented after a great detri of careful thought. Mr. Leadley’s amendment, was defeated by n largo majority.