DEFENCE SECRETARY.

Waikato Times, Volume 108, Issue 18157, 23 October 1930, Page 8

DEFENCE SECRETARY.

STRONG CRITICISM. LESSONS OF THE PAST. , ”A FALSE STEP.” (Times Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. Strong criticism of the Government’s intention under the Finance Bill to appoint a civil Under-Secretary of Defence was made in the in the House of Representatives this morning by Mr T. W. McDonald (United —Wairarapa), who contended that the appointment would bring about waste and inefficiency. Mr McDonald claimed that the system had failed in the past, and he hoped that Cabinet would consult someone familiar with the history of defence forces. “In my opinion, if there is one thing we should do, it is to create that office,” he said. “The Government is not against hearing . sound reasons why they should change their minds in the matter, and I think they are a reasonable body of men, open to hear arguments and act accordingly if they are sound.” Mr McDonald recalled the time when there was a voluntary defence training system in New Zealand, and regretted that there was not a clause in the Bill making provision for. the conversion of the compulsory system into a volifntary system. The principal cause for the voluntary scheme proving unsatisfactory years ago was the constant pin-pricking that arose through the fact that there was an Under-Secretary of Defence as well as Commandant of Forces. Both of those officers saw, thought, and acted, in different directions, and tho chief function of the Minister of the day was to try to bring them to some common understanding, which he seldom could do. As a result, the volunteer force ’ was'starved and disheartened,, and rendered less r ,efficient than it would have been if there had been a Commandant in sole charge. While they were contemplating a huge reduction in expenditure on defence they were at the same time, by appointing a civilian head, doubling the administrative expenditure.

Dual Control a Failure. The dual system had been tried before. Neither could the training nor the discipline of the force be administered by anyone except a soldier. The step being taken by the Government was a false one, 'and he hoped that no appointment would be made until someone who knew something aboute the position was consulted. The Commandant of the Forces should be solely responsible to the Government. He would place country and constituency before party when it came to a question of national duty.

The Leader of the Opposition, the Right Hon. J. G. Coates,: “How will you vote?”

Mr McDonald: “That is an important point. If there was any danger of putting my party out of power I will vote for them. I will not put them out on a clause in a Finance Bill, but I will tell them what they should do." The Hon. J. G. Cobbe, Minister of Defence, said that in England business men had been introduced into the Defence Department, and the lead was being .followed in the * Dominion Defence Department. It was essential that the affairs of the department shouud be handled in a businesslike manner. . The Government had in mind a competent, experienced officer to take up the position. Mr E. J. Howard (Labour —Christchurch South): “Who is he?” Mr Cobbe said that the appointment was in the hand's of the Public Service Commissioner.