Army Division Urged For N.Z. Defence

Chronicle (Levin), 30 July 1949, Page 4

Army Division Urged For N.Z. Defence

I Compulsory military service, and forces "of such quality an-d readiness that they ean be applied early at the critical point," are urged for New Zealand by Major-General Sir Howard Kippenberger, Dominion president of thq N.Z.R.S.A. In a statement released by the Joint Action Committee of ex-service organisations and the New Zea'and Defence League, Sir Howard remarks that the forces need not necessarily be large — "a division or Ihereabouts." . _ "With our small population ahd the tremendous pressures of "inqreasing population all over the world, we cannot bxpect long to be left 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' themselves. Or we can pull ourselves together and act as a grownup nation." New Zealand could also look to America for protection, said Sir Howard. But it should not be forgotten • that there was still much sentiment as isolationism, and that all Europe .was overrun two years hefore America was jolted into the last war by Pearl Harbour. "In this contracting world we hiight be one of those people? overrun before the American people could spare help for those why

r would not help themselves,"- he added. It was surely clear that New Zealand's fa.te 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 vital Middie East. "Without the troops of Australia, South Africa and New Zealand this couid not have been done," said Sir Howard. "In 1942 the Middie East would probably have been losc without t'he 2nd New Zealand Division. .It is very possible that the approaches to Australia .and New Zealand may have again to be > held in that anclent b'attle ground." Adding that in the war with Japan, -New Zealand was saved by the three months' resistance of the ill-equipped Imperial forces" at JSingapore, by MacArthur's Ameri|cans and Filipinos, and by the American Navy and Marines in the Solomons, Sir Howard said that time was not likely to be gained by any such sacrifice again. "So, wnat we can do and must do, if we deserve to survive, seenis clear," he declared. "We musu 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."