Government's Defence Plan Criticised

Chronicle (Levin), 7 April 1948, Page 6

Government's Defence Plan Criticised

Press Association )

(Per

AUCKLAND, April 6. Complete lack of coniidence in the Government's plans for army orggnisation, was the keynote of comment by former higli ranking officers in Auckland. The scheme was described as' ' ' vague ' ' and { ' tinpot. ' ' Failure to provide the immediate estabiishment of a territorial force and lack of.lead as to how the nianxtbwer problem was to 'be attacked — compulsory training wai favoured — were inaitt points of the criticism. Major-General P. H. Bell regretted 'that more detailed proposals for the Army were not stated as was done with the Navy aud Air Force. Major:General 11. L. Barrowclough said lie was shocked to iind the citi-, zens ' army — territorials — neglected. ' ' There is an ominous suggestion that the scheme will be determined by the limitation of maxipower and finance, " ho added. Brigadier A. B. "Williams exprossed, tlie hoxte that there would be time to develox> the Dominion's prox>osed defence organisation as observations from overseas suggested that time was an important factor. " Wishy washy," said the pt'^ident of the Auckland Itcturned Hervices' Association, Mr. A. I'. Bostlewaite. ' The Minister has astutely avoided any reference as tb whether there is to be compulsory training. The New Zealaud ll.B.'A. has scrongly advocated the compulsory system and it is the duty of the Minister to. teJl the p00!^0 forthwith wliether such is to be adoxited, " he said. Mr. Bostlewaite comniended the recognitioii cf the serviees of women. Tlie recognitioii of the valuc of scieiilific research as an integral x^f-i't of peacetime defence was a new and desirable deve]ox>mont, said Professor Burbidge, professor of physics. He said new avenues of employment opened up for graduates if science and eiigineeriug who would. proyide the raw material for any scientiiic defence corps.