DOMINION DEFENCE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 255, 27 October 1937, Page 8

DOMINION DEFENCE

VIEWS OF PALIAMENT Government’s Plan to Set Up Boards QUESTION OF SECURITY [ Per Press Association J WELLINGTON, Oct. 26. In the House of Representatives this afternoon, on the motion of the Prime Minister, the scope of the debate on the second reading of the Army Board Bill was extended to embrace also the Air Force Bill and the Air Department Bill. The Minister of Defence, Hon. F. Jones, speaking of the Army Bill, pointed out that similar boards existed in other countries in the Empire, notably Australia and South Africa. He mentioned that in the near future they hoped the three services would all be housed under one roof in the old railway offices building. The Minister proceeded to outline the proposals in the Bill on the lines similar to those he adopted when the Bill was introduced.

The Hon. J. G. Coates stated that if the people fonuiy imagined that the Bill would give tnem security, then they were doomed to disappointment. The mere fact that there was a board in no way affected the numbers or efficiency of those who joined our land forces. He pointed to the depletions in the ranks of the permanent forces and asked if, the men were satisfied with the conditions and rates of pay. The Defence Council, he said, appeared to him to be more of a Cabinet committee than a council of defence. He asked if New Zealand’s scheme of defence accorded with the ideas of the Imperial Committee of Defence at Home, and he relerred to the insecurity which people felt at the disturbed conditions existing in otner parts of the world. New Zealand’s first line of defence was the navy, but Dur position would not be so happy If part of the navy defending our shores were required in another sphere. It behoved us then to organise our coasta* defences and our territorial and air forces. Small Efficient Force. The Hon. J. A. Lee said the Bill was a move in the right direction. The mere size of the defence force today was not a test of its efficiency. Mere numbers were insufficient to assure victory because the science of expeditious killing had made such a considerable advance in recent years. If war did occur there would be no Warning. There would not be the time to train that there had been in the last war. It was more essential for the Dominion’s defence that there should be a small number of men who were highly efficient than that there should be a large number of men who were merely militarised. He had no doubt 'that the appointment of this Army Board would be all to the good, as besides inquiring into adequate measures of defence it would also be ;able to estimate the part industry could play in time of war. i The Hun. J. G. Cobbe (Opp., Oroua) said that members on this side of th? House would be prepared to do Anything in their power towards assisting the defence forces of the Dominion in attaining efficiency. » Mr W. J. Lyons (Govt., Waitetnata) said he had been somewhat perturbed at the response of the youth ol the country to the volunteer system and they would have to make that service attractive. If the board Were set up it would have a personnel to see that we had the most effective defence system possible and would supply the necessary co-or-tiinadon lor it. The debate was adjourned at 5.25 p.m.