NEW ZEALAND'S DEFENCE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 23, 22 October 1919, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND'S DEFENCE

GENERAL RICHARDSON'S VIEWS. By Teleiraph—Fref.a Aisoclatlon. Hamilton, October 21. Brigadier-General Richardson, interviewed, said it was absolutely necessary to preparations for the defence of the country. Those who regarded the consummation of tho League of Nations as tho death-knell of war were, he was much afraid, greatly mistaken. The first interest of tho country was to get the soldiers settled in civil life again as Illicitly as iwssible, so that they might become productive and assist in building up (he country's commerce. This was the greatest essential at the present time. After that he would advocate a vigorous immigration policy, with tho idea of building up the population so that when the time came wo should bo able to defend ourselves, .-it present we were surrounded by /densely populated countries, and a small population was a source, of weakness.

The General considered the protest of tho Church Council regarding foul language and the lowering of moral in tho concentration camps. all nonsense. Tho need of tho public was education in matters of defence. Ho declared that he.had 110 intention) of entering politics, adding: "It is seldom that a professional soldier makes a successful politician."