The Grey River Argus TUESDAY, April 6, 1948. DOMINION DEFENCE PLANS

Grey River Argus, 6 April 1948, Page 4

The Grey River Argus TUESDAY, April 6, 1948. DOMINION DEFENCE PLANS

allusion to the necessity df co-operation between the Dominion and the United States in defence, ’which was made by Hon. F. Jones, in his statement of policy yesterday, is doubtless of vital importance for the. future. The Minister makes it clear that the Government has by no means been negligent in the planning of adequate forces during- the period of demobilisation since 1945. The plans provide for much larger regular naval and air forces than have hitherto been maintained, these arms being more essential for immediate action in case of an emergency, seeing that New Zealand is so much an insular territory, requiring protection first by air and sea. During the late war our co-operation with United States forces became so vital and so extensive that the tradition then set is destined to influence Dominion strategy and tactics markedly in the coming decades. Consequently, United States Army Day is a fitting occasion for the Government’s present demonstration that it is at least as much alive as anybody else to our needs at a critical juncture, when international relations remain in a state of uncertainty, and when the development of new weapons must radically’ affect military policy. Mri Jones remarks, however, that these new developments are not such as to alter our basic practice, which looks beyond our own immediate shores to the islands northwards. Balanced forces are needed so as to dovetail with Pacific regional defence arrangements. including those of the United States, and illustrated meantime by the presence of the New Zealand troops in Japan. There are, in addition, obligations to the United Nations to develop speedy military .co-operation in the case of emergency. In fact emergency in our case would be of such a kind that the. object is not a standing army, but an organisation which could quickly create an army. The Government has had the advice of the leading military and scientific figures of the British Commonwealth. One of the immediate calls in case of war would ibe for protection of trade and commipiications, and Fiji especially is a base for that purpose. The Navy would figure in this protective, capacity. It is not anticipated that, with up-to-date engines of war, we could count on as long an immunity as formerly. In addition to a cruiser, six anti-submarine escort vessels, and a survey vessel in full commission, a reserve of a cruiser and minesweepers are planned. From the present personnel of 1580, it is expected that 1950 will see two thousand five hundred in the naval force, with 800 more men as reserves at main ports, and sea cadets. The regular Air Force will be definitely more numerous, increasing from its present 2500 men to 4000 by 1952. There also are to be an Air Force. Reserve, a Territorial Air Force, and an Air Force Corps. In addition to the Headquarters are to be decentralised commands, and five regular squadrons will be maintained, including a bomber squadron and flying-boat squadron at Fiji, and in New Zealand a bomber reconnaisance squadron, a fighter squadron, and a transport squadron. A much greater proportion of the Air Force must be kept on a regular basis than of the military force. The hard core, a regular cadre to organise, train and equip the Territorial Army, already exists, with stocks of weapons. ..The Territorial Air Force is to be a voluntary one, and the cadet strength contemplated is five thousand —20.00 of them city and county units, and 3000 secondary school units. The Government has retained major i equipment for the Air Force to

expand to the extent proposed. A new feature is the establishment of a Defence Science Advisory Committee, whereby Dominion scientists will be afforded a unique opportunity of mastering military matters in which science is an essential. An annual grant of £25,000 is being made for the purpose. The Minister points out that the closest touch is being maintained between the Dominion military, naval and air staff chiefs and those of Australia and Britain, with frequent visits of experts, while liaison staffs are maintained by New Zealand at London and Melbourne. In addi tion there is close liaison with the. United States forces, the maintenance of which will be regarded by New Zealanders generally as a. new and very desirable guarantee of preparedness and security in national defence. The United States .is now moving in the direction of universal military training as an insurance that its armed forces will be able to count on a sufficiently speedy flow of trained men to win a war if large scale lighting should develop.