COST OF DEFENCE

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20892, 25 August 1939, Page 6

COST OF DEFENCE

• That Mr J. Hargest’s suggestion in the House of Representatives that some of the expenditure earmarked for public works and social services might be diverted to defence should have raised such a storm of protest was rather surprising in view of the present international situation. Other parts of the Empire are subordinating many other domestic expenditures to preparations to meet the threat of war, which admittedly has never been more insistent. At least that portion of public works spending which is devoted to the promotion of work for men who would otherwise be employed could certainly be diverted to defence projects and still serve its main purpose. The Minister of Defence in reply to Mr Hargest said New Zealand was spending £5,500,000 in defence in the current year. That alone is a heavy drain on the country, but the menace to the Empire is so real that the burden has been shouldered with good spirit. Greater calls may yet be made, and no doubt they will be met in the same spirit. If the worst comes to the worst even the social services may have to suffer, for war has no respect for persons, and when it is a matter of life or death every ounce of a nation’s resources must be thrown into the struggle. There is no need vet for such extremes, but New Zealand will perhaps be able to account itself fortunate if the threat to peace does not yet affect the standard of living that has been built up.

Mr P Fraser poured oil on the troubled waters by assuring the House that there would be no difficulty about finance for defence purposes, though he did not name the source. “It must be apparent to everybody,” he said, “that if this country is threatened, not only every human life, but every penny and every ounce of property, will become a part of the defences of New Zealand.” And that*broadly is the true position. It may be necessary to sacrifice a great deal in order to preserve that greatest possession—independence flam domination from a despotic foreign Power.