DEFENCE NEEDS.

Evening Star, Issue 22442, 12 September 1936, Page 14

DEFENCE NEEDS.

The naive statement of the Minister of Defence (Hon. F. Jones) that one of the main issues to be faced by the Government was whether a Territorial Force was necessary, was bound to be disturbing to those who have given more than the briefest thought to defence needs of this country. In round terms and with special reference to an air force the Government has talked as if it realised) its responsibilities in this connection, but a statement like this latest one comes as a shook. It raises the question whether the Government has given more than the most superficial consideration to defence requirements, which was the last question that concerned it before it assumed office. It is as if the Minister of Finance should ask whether it was really necessary that there should be twelve pence to a shilling.

There can be no dissent from Mr Jones’s pronouncement that the present position of the Territorial system is not satisfactory. It has been unsatisfactory since the compulsory principle was abolished. That was a retrograde action from the viewpoint of defence, and there was cause to believe that a main reason why it was done lay in the desire of a past Government to gain favour with the Labour Party. Under the voluntary system the number of those attending camps and parades soon began to dwindle, and it has been dwindling ever since. An officer ivas not speaking melodramatically when he declared) yesterday that “ we might as well go down to the shore and hurl pats of butter at any invading force as attempt to resist them with the present Territorial Force.” An inquiry, which the Minister states is being made, is not required to show that the results are not satisfactory in comparison with the expenditure entailed. But the remedy for that weakness is to increase the expenditure, if necessary, and give more encouragement to the Territorials. Though fewer of them may be required as invention has progressed, no one with knowledge will ever advise the Government that foot soldiers can be dispensed with in modern war. It is not only local defence that requires to be provided for. Apart from raids which might have to be defeated it is probable that New Zealand will be best defended in any future war, should it arise, away from its own shores. Aircraft can repulse and destroy, but infantry will always be needed to occupy and to hold positions. There has been the least demand, either from politicians or from officers of the Territorials, to restore compulsion to that force. It has been suggested, however, that new encouragement should be given to it in the light of the military preparations that are being made in most other countries, and the idea has been broached of forming a Territorial Association to assist in forming a public opinion that would keep Governments in mind of their duty in that connection. Such an association would not consist mainly, if at all, of Territorials. There would be nothing “ Fascist ” about its organisation or its influence, as is the cry of those who believe that, in a crazy and threatening world, New Zealand should be as helpless as possible. A like movement did good service before the Territorial system was established and before the word “ Fascist ” was heard of; and Territorials themselves are merely citizen soldiers. In an open letter to the Minister of Defence which we publish to,-day Lieutenant-colonel M'Pherson, who comes under that description, puts forward alternative schemes for improving the system of training of this country’s youth and meeting Imperial responsibilities. His letter, closely argued) and most reasonably couched, may well serve as a basis for consideration of the question in all its bearings.