DEFENCE OF NEW ZEALAND

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22512, 21 September 1938, Page 6

DEFENCE OF NEW ZEALAND

TO TBS EDITOB OF THC PBE3S. Sir, —The European situation is admittedly critical. If one were a Biblical student the present state of affairs ■would no doubt raise great hopes in one's breast that at long last muddling jgovernments and abhorred godless dictators will give way to one who never muddles. The thought that Japan will throw all her remaining : resources in with Germany in the coming world conflict, should cause all ,sane New Zealanders to think deep* dark thoughts of how we shall fare. Could we or Australia assist England to assist another? The answer is, I should say, no. We will need all -to defend ourselves; and what an all it is! With America neutral, and of course coming in at the last minute as usual to crown herself with glory, we shall be in a very bad position. A certain naval base will certainly afford a measure of comfort, but could it -stop the great navy of the rising sun? Of course not. We must rule out our navy and that of Australia. Foolish people may think it quite sufficient, but sane people know that it might just as well not exist, one cannot visualise being shelled from the sen (all our cities .and petrol supplies are, of course, placed in the most convenient position), nor of being wakened in the early hours by the roar of hundreds of aeroplanes dropping their loads of death and destruction upon our fair cities. But it can happen and may. Our Government is foolish. It acquires two, three, or more aeroplanes. We want hundreds and want them quickly. Possibly we cannot get them now owing to the position at Home. Well, get them from America. We spend £20,000.000 on public works. Well, what is £1,000,000 or £2,000.000 spent on our only sure defence if it ensures us safety from our potential enemies. We need to wake up and wake up quick. The impossible may happen. Let us be prepared and be prepared from the air. The day of great battleships is over, experts tells us. The ships of the air take their place. Let us have a navy of the air, flown by New Zealand men, and we shall fear no enemy.—Yours, etc., D.F.H. Waimate, September 19. 1938.