ADEQUATE DEFENCES

Chronicle (Levin), 14 November 1946, Page 4

ADEQUATE DEFENCES

N.Z. last Take Her Place URGENT ACTKJPf N-EEDlB The neeft for urgent action by returned servieelfien to' ensure that New Zealand ivas adequatefy defended in the future, and took her plaee in the defence policy of the Commonwealth of Nations, was stressed by Mr. H. B. Burdekin, when addressing members of the Levin branch of the Returned Services-' Association at the quarterly general meeting last evening. Those who had risked their lives to defend this country, were, he said, the logical ones to give a lead in the matter of national defence: It was not a ease of a body of men asking others to do something they had not do'iie themselves. It Was3,1s o to make certain that what hoppened before would not happen n.p-fun.

As far back as the Maori wars, Britain had had to act the "big irother" to the Dominion, and she should not be placed in that position again. We should be able tocarry our own share of defence costs. We should have a requisite navy and army, and a worthwhil'e air force. Conscription should be iiitroduced and also compulsory military training in schools.- Aero clubs, Red Cross and similar organisations, he contended, should get all the support and help possible. "The only way to prevent war is -to be so strong that the other fellow will not want to have us on," | said Mr. Burdekin. "We don't want to see our sons going off to another War, and for that reason we will have to impress on whatever Government is in power, our determination to see that New Zealand is adequately defended." The decisions of Leagues of Nations and Security Councils would have to be backed up by force. _ ...

The war had cost Newc Zealand nearly £700,000,000. If even one million a year was spent on future defence, something really worthArhile could be done. It could Le regafded in the-light of an inswance policy. However, the monec*r\r rmp.^t.inn WflR fff nillV " HlillOT

"WA J 1"-^ u impcrtance compared to ,the> value Df the potential saving of xives. Mr. Burdekin concluded by asking all present to reafflrm the resoiution passed recently by the Dominion conference of thd Returned Services' Association that :he Government be urged to proride adequate Navy, Army and Air Force defence of New Zealand immediately satisfactory arrangements could be made with the Commonwealth and Empire Gcvernments as to what these requirements would be, and that it be a recommendation to the Government to provide a scheme of compulsory physical and militaiy training based on the requirements of the respective services. . When placing the resolution reiffirming the above to the meeting, the president, Mr. H. J. Lancaster, said that he strongly supported Mr. Burdekin's suggestion. The only solution for peace was tc oe prepared for war, and if every part of the British Empire toux s "similar attitude we would be sc strong that no nation would dare to attack us. When put to vote the motion wai carried unanimously, one membei mggesting that the Dominion eke2utive be urged to take the matter further as soon as possible. Mr. Burdekin replied that the association was awaiting the j^ecision of the Imperial Council and the return of the New Zealand delegates. Meanwhile, it Was up to the branches ro give rhe resolution all the support they could.