Army Division Urged For N.Z. Defence

Chronicle (Levin), 12 March 1949, Page 4

Army Division Urged For N.Z. Defence

, • Compulsory military service, and forces "of such quality and readiness that they can be applied early nt the critical point," are urged for New Zealand foy Major-General "Sir Howard Kippenberger, Dominiori 1 president of the N.Z.R.S.A. In a statement released by , the Joint • Action Committee of ex-se rvice organisations and the New Zea1 land Defence League, Sir Howard remarks that the forces need not y necessarily be large — "a diviSion .or , thereabouts." "With our small population and ( the tremendous pressures , of mcreasing population all over the ! world, we cannot expect long to be 16ft in exclusive occupation of these favoured lands without /help and self-help," says Sir Howard. "It may be a good thing to continue doing nothing, as at present, and trust in the mercy of God to a people too selfish and lazy to help bhemselves. Or we can pull ourselves together and act as a- grownup nation. New Zealand could also look to America for protecti'on, said Sir Howard. But it shouid not be forgotten that there was still much sentiment as- isolationism, and that all Europe was overrun two years before America was jolted into the last war by Pearl Harbonf. - - "In this contracting world we might he one of those peoples overrun before the American people could spare help for those who

wouM not he.Jp themselves," he added . It was surely clear that New Zealand's fate in a third world war would be decided overseas. Victory oVer Germany had been achieved in 1945 only after years . of defeat and endurance, and the long struggle to hold the vftal Middle East. Without the troops of Australia, South Africa and New Zealand this could not have been done," said Sir Howard. "In 1942 the Middle East would probably have been I lost without the 2nd New Zealand Division. It is very possible that the approaches to Australia and New Zealand may have again to be held in that ancient battle ground." Adding that in the war with Japan, New Zealand was saved by the three months' resistance of the lU-equipped Imperial forcejs at Singapore, by MacArthur's Americans and Filipinos, and by the American Navy knd Marines in the Soiomons, Sir Howard said that time was not likely to be gained by any such sacrifice again. "So, what we can do and musfc do, if we deserve to survive, seem's clear," he declare'd. "We must build up our population and our armed services. If anyone imagines that the necessary force can be produced in New Zealand by anything but a system of compulsory service it will be surprising, and he / will be mistaken."