Purpose Of The Defence Fund Debated

Wanganui Chronicle, 7 October 1950, Page 6

Purpose Of The Defence Fund Debated

PARLIAMENT BLDGS., Last Night. (PA).—Mr F. Jones (Opp., St. Kilda) in the House of Representatives today, discussing the vote in the Estimates for the Army Department, asked for thb purpose of the transfer of £2.000,000 to the Defence Fund. Mr Gillespie (Govt., Hurunui) said he was very glad that a fund was being built up for defence purposes. The need at the moment was to provide for the defence of the country. Mr Nash (Opp., Hutt) said that the Government would find on every occasion that the Opposition would vote for all the money required for the defence of New Zealand and any commitment entered into with the United Nations Organisation from Th* three services. This year neatly £4,000,000 was being set as : de for reserves, despite all that had h<*en said during the past nine months that the country was next door to bankruptcy Mr T L. Macdonald (Minister of Defence), replying, saiu that the Dnfence Fund was tot the purpose of purchasing equipment. Modern military equipment had changed and was changing very rapidly, but the equipment which would be purchased, if the worst camp to the worst, would be the best procurable. Mr Connolly (Opp.. Dunedin Central > said that the transfer of such a large amount to the Defence Fund would be continued next year, when there would be sc many millions in the fund that the Government would then decide to use it for the service votes, and thus give it the means to reduce taxation. Mr Macdonald denied that 'that wa ; - the intention of the Government. Apparently the Opposition heartily approved the establishment of a Defence Fund, but thought that the contributions to it were excessive. Mr Algie (Minister o r Educa'ron): Thcv don’t want it built up. They used to talk against conscr ption once. •The vote was passed, as was the ■public Trustees Account.