HOME DEFENCE.

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 4, 28 April 1939, Page 4

HOME DEFENCE.

At the recent annual conference of the Labour Party several

new notes were struck. To those —and they are by this time probably a great majority—who recognise the danger of a outbreak of war in Europe, none would be more welcome than the resolutions passed giving indication of, an awakening to the urgent need for expanding and expediting the hitherto hesitant and altogether inadequate organisation of the country's manhood for home defence.,

A good deal has certainly been done, though as yet not nearly enough, in the way of instituting a fairly competent aerial defence force. This, of qourse. is'in these days such a vital element as'to merit first consideration. But it is certainly not all that is required for the defence of a country with such an extensive coast-line as that of New Zealand, offering innumerable points at which hostile landings could be effected at short notice. It is thus manifestly essential that we should have a well-trained and equipped land force of such numbers as to afford some assurance of being able to repel any such raiding parties wherever they might seek to set foot upon our shores. To fulfil this purpose the force: that has so far been established is only too obviously and hopelessly insufficient, and the same may also be said of the number which the Government ha&i heretofore put forward as its

ultimate aim- Even double that number would not suffice to meet all the simultaneous pressing calls that might quite easily be made upon it by active, well seasoned and highly equipped

enemy forces

In the past the Government has pretty well confined to. the younger members of the community its appeal for recruits to the Territorial Force. But it is held by those who should know that it would meet with a very much more ready and widespread response were it extended also to those of more mature years and so with some fuller understanding of all that is implied in modern warfare. It is, moreover, felt that the younger folk may very justifiably ask why they alone; should be called upon to fulfill a duty which lies upon all able-bodied men fit for military service, while the advantage of a stiffening of seniors among* the ranks of youth can be easily recognised.

But from whatever source drawn, it is obvious that the enlistment of numbers will be of little account unless it is accompanied by a full equipment of modern weapons along with a thorough training in their use. Of such weapons it is reported that the Government has already in store an ample supply, but they are of little value until they are plaqed' in the hands of those who have been taught hew to use them. None of our Ministers has so far exhibited any very great enthusiasm on this so vital question of defence, but we should now surely be able to expect them to give life to the recommendations their own Party conference has made to them. To ensure success it would need only for the Prime Minister to throw his own galvanic personality into the campaign for recruits. He has not spared himself in promoting the expansion of our secondary industries, but he must surely realise that the first objective of hostile raiders would be our industrial centres whose protection should therefore carry equal weight with him.