New Zealand and Armament

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 98, 19 January 1935, Page 9

New Zealand and Armament

Sir, —There have been meetings held in various parts of the Dominion by delegates from outside to protest against war and Fascism. The demand is that the Empire must disarm completely. In order to rouse support for total disarmament absurd lies were told the audiences about our Government’s intentions and its reasons for maintaining a defence force. Here is one of these. The Government has ordered 90 planes, not for encouraging civil aviation, but to use against our farmers and workers who may unite to protest against the conditions arising out of the depression. Aeroplanes with aerodromes, and the rapid transportation of guns, gas, and soldiers have been planned for this purpose. , There are idealists who honestly believe that the total disarmament of one country will result in freedom from attack, but history proves that this is fallacious. Mr. Henderson’s secretary at the Disarmament Conference admitted that we must have some defence when there is a possibility of attack from Fascist Powers; again, Communists who protest against Empire defence approve of Soviet Russia’s maintenance of huge forces to defend her national interests. Yet these same people deny our rights to defence in any other emergency. This Socialist-Communist advocacy for our total disarmament is patently inconsistent and when supported by such an obvious lie as above quoted is clearly suspicious.—"We are. etc., N.Z. WELFARE LEAGUE. Wellington, January 18.