DOMINION DEFENCE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 69, 23 March 1939, Page 8

DOMINION DEFENCE

THE NEED FOR ACTION NATIONAL SECURITY AND SOCIAL SECURITY [ Per Press Association.] HASTINGS, March 22. "Any action that the New Zealand Government takes to support Britain in her attitude to the problems of defence has the wholehearted support of every member of the National Party,” said the leader, Hon. A. Hamilton, in a statement at Hastings to-day, when he passed through in continuation of his North Island tour. "It is in times such as these that policy must be clearly defined,’’, said Mr. Hamilton. "Our people are united in their determination to support British policy in meeting one of the gravest international situations in history. Preparedness has become essential and to that preparedness the people must contribute with thought and action. So that the Government may know that it speaks with the support of all parties when it discusses defence and a programme of complete co-operation with Britain, I make this statement. "Naturally we all hope that the efforts to preserve world peace will be successful and we owe a deep debt of gratitude to the statesmen who are steering British foreign policy today. Never has unity of Empire been more necessary. New Zealand must oe prepared to play its part to the full as she has done in the past. The urgency of the question is by comparison as great in New Zealand as it is in Britain. Make no mistake. Britain tried disarmament to the point of taking a grave risk, but world support for a great ideal faded and the British policy of rearmament has now held the leading place during the past few years. "It should not be forgotten in New Zealand, that following the lead of Britain at the time, previous Governments also pursued a policy ot disjarmament and as a result reduced our I own preparedness to the level of a 'grave risk. . "No good will come from shirking cur responsibilities now fl' every I rapid action. Without, in any way ' failing to appreciate the efforts that have already been made by the Government, I think that the people should be aware that agreement of thought is not sufficient to-day. We must have action, equipment, men and material. As part of the British Empire we must ask ourselves. ‘Are ■ we doing our fair share?’ I wish to see the people of New Zealand roused • to a real practical appreciation of their national responsibilities. The National Party is prepared to stand strongly ' behind the Government in any frank • approach it makes to the position. "National security possibly has ' prior claim to social security, and in ' considering the position from this angle defence would more likely as- ’ sume its correct place in the public 1 mind. We have to avoid doing any- ' thing that will tend to build a soft ! nation. Those dealing with the ad- ’ ministration of the country to-day ’ would be guilty ot culpable negligence if they allowed the country to become ill-equipped for its own defence ' Moral fibre and character are just , as important among our people as ’ war materials and training. In the 1 process of that equipping the twe first-mentioned qualities are never the , result of easy living or of concentra--5 tion on material things. “I think we should all realise today that after the bitter experience; e of disarmament a well-prepared anc well-defended British Empire is per e haps the best safeguard for work y peace that we have.”

PACIFIC CONFERENCE

TO OPEN ON APRIL I I Per I iess Association.] AUCKLAND, March 22. The Prime Minister states that arrangements have been completed tor the opening of the Pacific Conference in Wellington on Friday, April 1. His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom will be represented by their High Commissioner in New Zealand, Sir Harry Batterbee, the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific Sir Harry Luke, Vice-Admirai Sir Ragnar Colvin, Major-General P. J. Mackesy and Air-Marshal Sir Arthur Longmore. His Majesty’s Government in the Commonwealth of Australia y ill be represented by Vice-Admiral Sir Ragnar Colvin, who will represent Australia as well as the United Kingdom, Colonel V. A. R. Sturdce and WingCommander G. Jones. The New Zealand Government will be represented by members of the Council of Defence, and in addition by the Minister and for Industries and Commerce, the Controller of Civil Aviation and sue; other officials as the circumstances may _