LABOUR M.P. LOOKS AT CONSCRIPTION

Chronicle (Levin), 11 June 1949, Page 5

LABOUR M.P. LOOKS AT CONSCRIPTION

WELLINGTON, June 10. "When more output is so urgent T cannot see any sense in taking men out of productoin just on the off-chance that there might be war, partiQularly when all Ihe experts say that there will not be ono. People must understand that they will have to pay more in taxation if they have conscription. The money for it will have to be found." These and other remarks reported to have been made while addressing a meeting in Auckland by Mr. W. W. Freer, Labour member of Parliament^ for Mt. Albert, last night drew a reply from the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser.) "I do not think any one country in the world ean adequately def end itself against an enemy today," said Mr. Freer. "We should concentrate in New Zeaiand o-n a small and efficient air force — which we already have— and a fast and efficient mabiie naval foreo, which we have just about got. I cannot see any wisdom in having a large land force in this country. 'Where are we going to base it? We could not hope to proteet all our enormous coast line. "Our best plan is to have a small technical corps capable of instrueting men in the tvpe of defence required when the time comes. You cannot train large bodies of men in advance because tlie tecliniques change. I am opposed to compulsory military training in peacetime, but I would support compulsory national service if men were put into camps to undertake work in soil conservation, river eontrol, and afforestatiou. " Mr. Fraser 's View "T note that Mr. Freer supports adecpiate defence measir',ea to the fullest extent necessarv," said , Mr. Fraser. "His opinion in regard to the need for a trained force is entitled to the respect du'e to any person who has not had the opportunity of eonsidering the full Paets in a realistie way. The delegates lo the annual conferenee of the Labour Party were so impressed with Ihe menace of world affairs that they agreed, almost unanimously, to a re ferendum on the grounds as stated, that: "(1) There must be adequate and efficient defence of New Zeaiand. "(2) There must be tlie maximum contribution pqssible made to the de fence of the British Commonwealth without which the defence and life of New Zeaiand would collapse. " (3) . To request the Government to nse all the resources of the country, 1 ineluding compulsory national service, : Lf the Government, after exploring all : possibilities and alternatives, is "eonvinced that sueh a measure is essential

for the defence and preservation of ou people, onr country, and our Common wealth. "In the light of the decision of th conferenee and the responsibilitv on thd GoVrnment to make a definiti pronouneement on the question of th' necessity for compulsory national ser viee for defence, quite obviously the time had not arrived for Mr. Freer to give a conclusive, fully-informed opinion.**