DEFENCE PROBLEMS OF THE FUTURE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 15973, 15 November 1919, Page 4

DEFENCE PROBLEMS OF THE FUTURE.

The defence policy of New Zealand has been held over for consideration by the new Parliament, and possibly by a new Government. The future 'Wganisation. and strength of the Territorial force, the system of training and the arrangements for naval defence are matters that await decision. But in the meantime masses of war material are arriving ia the Dominion with the returning troops. The Minister for Defence has stated that arms and equipment for two divisions are being brought to this country. The articles had been bought and paid for before the war ended, and they could 1 not be sold except at a great sacrifice in Britain or France Just what is going to happen to all this material nobody seems to know. There is some reason to fear that most of it will moulder in defence stores unless Ministers show active interest in its disposal. Many powerful motor waggons have been landed from the transports lately. They are eminently suitable for use by the Publio Works Department or local bodies, and. it seems poor policy to hold them in store, or retain them for occasional use by the Defence Department, on the oft chance of another war occurring within the next ten years. There appears to be much other gear among the equipment that could be used in one way or the other by the people of New Zealand.