NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE POLICY

Grey River Argus, 6 April 1948, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE POLICY

Stated by Hon. F. Jones Expansion Planned WELLINGTON, April 5. “Because of the uncertainties that exist in ’the international situation to-day, and the effects on defence of new weapon developments, the Government has had to give very full and detailed consideration to the question of what is the best provision that New Zealand can make for defence,” said the Hon. F. Jones in a statement on defence policy. “To any thinking person, it is essential that we must take the most careful thought to ensure that whatever defence policy we do decide upon is sound and based upon the best possible advice. In the period since the conclusion fo hostilities, in 1945, the primary task of the forces has been the orderly demobilisation of personnel who served during the war, the disposal of great quantities of surplus equipment and the placing in stores of the remainder, and the preparation of plans for the future organisation of the forces. These interim tasks are now all substantially completed and our thoughts are turned to the future and the provision that should be made against any emergency with which we might be confronted. Cur primary task in defence is to make the most effective contribution we can to the security of our own country. In making this provision, we cannot limit our immediate interest to New Zealand. It must extend to that vital area, including the islands to the north of us. We must, at the same time provide that our forces are so organised and balanced that they can, with other countries of the British Commonwealth, or other nations of the Pacific, if and when regional arrangements are developed, make a useful and effective contribution to combined forces. Already, with other countries of the British Comonwealth and the United States of America, we are contributing forces for the occupation of Japan, to establish peace in the Pacific. We must also be ready to fulfil our obligations under the United Nations Charter. Under Articles 43 and 45 of the Charter, all members of the United Nations, in order to contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security, are required to make available to the Security Council on its call, in accordance with a special agreement, or agreements, armed force, assistance and facilities.

ARMED FORCES’ ROLE AND ORGANISATION In deciding the size and composition of our armed forces, our subject is to establish a basic organisation which, in an emergency, will develop with speed and efficiency the full war potential of New Zealand. Our miltary organisation and plans for the future must take into account the possible effect of new weapons and scientific developments. In these matters, the Government and Chiefs of Staff have had the advice of the most eminent military leaders and scientists throughout the Commonwealth. However, the developments in weapons and science have not yet affected the basic organisation and training of the armed forces and are unlikely to do so fpr some years, although increased temphasis must be given to technical education and defence sceience. The New Zealand armed forces must be so organised that we may play our part in the defence of tho British Commonwealth and discharge our obligations to the United Nations. In addition, and as a prerequisite to the above tasks, they must be able to contribute in a large measure should the necessity arise, to the security of the South Pacific area and the defence of New Zealand territory. Our immediate concern is the security of trade and comunications, particularly in the Pacific. The Navy and the Air Force must be organised to discharge this role immediately in the event of an emergency. In order to dp so effectively, it is essential to maintain bases in the South Pacific Islands, notably Fiji, from which these defensive forces can operate. The defence of such bases and vital points in the South Pacific area, including New Zealand, requires anti-aircraft and coast artillery Army units as well as other military forces. To meet these, we require Naval, Army, and Air forces in certain proportions according to the particular role of each service. At the same time, New Zealand must provide armed forces. Naval, Army and Air, to’ meet her obligations to the United Nations and in support of Commonwealth defence. Bearing in mind the limitations of manpower and finance, the armed forces must be so organised in time of 'peace as to' make tho maximum contribution to all these problems.

NAVY The primary and immediate role of the Navy is the protection, in conjunction with the Air Force, of trade and sea communications in the South Pacific. At the same time, the Naval forces must be so organised that they can join with Naval forces of other parts of the British Commonwealth to form an effective combat force. To discharge these tasks in an emergency, the Navy must be well organised and trained and remain in a high state of readiness. It cannot be expected that in any future emergency we shall enjoy a long period of immunity from attack; the development of submarines has now increased the dangers in which trade and communications with New Zealand may be placed. To meet these various roles, and after consultations with the British Admiralty, it has been decided to maintain in commission one cruiser, at present in a training capacity and a flotilla of six anti-submarine escort vessels fully operational and one surveying vessel in constant employment. Additionally one cruiser will be held in reserve in New Zealand, together with minesweepers and harbour defence craft. The anti-submarine escort vessels recommended by the Admiralty are Loch class frigates, and six of these and a seventh vessel of similar size to be fitted out for permanent surveving duties, are being secured. The frigates selected, will be named after New Zealand lakes and a further anouncement will be made giving particulars of the names chosen and the detailed arrangements for the delivery of these vessels to New Zealand. These frigates are described by the Admiralty as having “the most formidable anti-aircraft armament of any shin of lhe postwar fleet.” They were all launched between March and August, 1944, and commissioned towards the end of that year; with the reduction of the fleet after the war they were then nlaced in care and maintenance as urfits of the Preserve Fleet. The surveying vessel is still to be selected, although it will be acquired with the frigates. Whilst it will not be possible to man and accept all vessels simultaneously, immediate steps are being taken to receive the first two. „ , „ The present strength of the Navy is approximately 1580, all ranks, including 150 Royal Naval personnel on loan and 40 Wrens This year the force will be expended to 1820, all ranks, while the target peacetime establishment of 2500 all ranks should be reached in 1950. The maintenance and supply pi this augmented Naval force is within

the competence of the dockyard and supply establishment; training facilities will require some expansion and this matter is under review. NAVAL RESERVES

The R.N.Z.N.R., comprising personnel who follow the sea as a profession, remains part of the post-war organisation. The N.Z.N.V.R. Headquarters are being renovated forthwith and plans allow for recruitment to commence on completion in three months’ time. The four Volunteer Reserve Divisions at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, when fully manned, will comprise approximately 200 officers and men to each division. R.N.Z.N. Volunteer Supplementary Reserve, has also been formed, consisting of officers who have held temporary commissions in the New Zealand Naval forces during the recent war, and who wish to maintain their connection with the Naval' service. The immediate manning of ships will be dependent upon these reserves. The Sea Cadet Corps, encouraged as it is by the Navy League, is considered a valuable contribution to Naval recruitment and seamanlike qualties. ARMY

It has never been the policy _of New Zealand to maintain a standing Army, ready to fight as an organised formation in war. The most that we can do is to maintain an efficient regular cadre which will be responsible for the organisation, training, and equipment of the Territorial force and be the hard com of the land forces, which, in the event of an emergency, we must provide for the defence of our own interests. In the past we have depended initially upon the Royal Navy and upon the active military strength of Great Britain. But, in 1 view of the lessons of the war and the march of events in the post-war world, we must ourselves make increasing provision for the defence of our own country and the strategic area vital to us stretching through the islands to the north of New Zealand. On the outbreak of war, wherever the initial action takes place, the Army has an immediate local defence role; it is responsible for the manning and operation of the anti-aircraft and coast defence batteries in fortress areas. Personnel must be organised and trained to a state of instant readiness for these roles. . , „ . Before any Territorial force can be established, it is necessary to have the regular component so ordered that it can effectively train and organise this force. Our _ first task therefore, is the recruitment and training of the regular force and this is now proceeding. Immediately it is properly organised and trained it will be ready to handle the Territorials. A territorial force will be established and the terms of service and the method of recruitment will be announced later when the regular oersonnel have been trained and are available for this work. Provision is being made for the equipment bf the Territorial force when it forms. Certain stocks of weapons are held throughout the country, but it will be necessary, having regard to weapon development, to ensure that any training equipment secured is the most modem available, and that an organisation exists, whereby all equipment required in the, event of an emergency will be available for the land forces.

AIR FORCE The Air Force, like the Navy, owing to the complex technical nature of these services and the long training required, must be established mainly on a full-time basis. Furthermore, the probable role of the Air Force in an emergency and the obligations assumed under the United Nations Charter, demand a state of immediate readiness. The R.N.Z.A.F. will be organised, trained . and equipped to operate as a part of the Commonwealth Air Forces and m support of United Nations., although emphasis will be placed Oh its immediate responsibilities in co-opera-tion with the Navy in defence of trade and communications in the South Pacific area. Provision is also to be made for Army/Air sunport and miscellaneous transport duties for the armed forces. The target plan for the Roval New Zealand Air Force, adopted after consultation with Lord Tedder, provides for the establishment of a regular Air Force, a Territorial Air Force, and Air Training Corns and an Air Force Reserve. The Regular Air Force on which the whole organisation depends, will consist of Air Headquarters, a decentralised command organisation, five . regular squadrons and ancillary engineering, equipment and training units. The regular squadrons will comprise two long-range bomber reconnaissance squadrons, one fighter, one transport and one flying-boat squadron. It is desirable that advanced flights of one bomber reconnaissance squadron and the flving boat squadron should be located in Fiji. The , arrangements governing the location of these squadrons in Fiji will be discussed shortly with the Governments of the United Kingdom and Fiji. It is proposed to effect this plan progressively over the next four years, by which time the establishment'of the regular Air Force should approximate 4000 officers and men. To-day, the establishment is approximately 2500 and this will increase at the rate of 500 per annum up to the appropriate target figure of 4000 al ranks. The development of nonregular Air Forces depends entirely upon the expansion of the regular Air Force, on which the former’ are dependent for the necessary administrative and technical maintenance It is proposed to develop Territorial Air Force units on a voluntary basis at the four main centres as soon as the resources of the regular Air Force permit. These units will comprise a small permanent nucleus, but otherwise the flying and technical personnel will consist of volunteers trained at nights and week-ends with an annual camp period. The air’ training Corps, which has been actively training since its formation, in 1941, has now been established as an integral part of the R.N.Z.A.F. The corps will have a strength of approximately 5000 cadets 2000 of whom will comprise city and country units and 3000 secondary school units. Equipment.—The major items of equipment for the post-war Air Force over the next four years have been retained from war equipment, supplemented by the purchase of eighty Mosquito aircraft' from the United Kingdom. This equipment will enable the R.N.Z.A.F. to be reorganised and trained during the interim period until the most modern type aircraft can be secured. WOMEN’S SERVICES

During the war the Women's services in the three brancnes of the armed forces rendered 'outstanding service. Experience has proved that women’s services are both practicable and necessary. It has been shown that women can do certain duties better than men, and their employment will enable us to make more effective use of our trained manpower. The organisation of the women’s services provides for a nu cleus establishment cn a regular, basis and these will be supported by Territorial units. DEFENCE SCIENCE

Success in any future war may well depend upon pre-eminence in science. The importance of integrating scientific research with the armed forces has been most fully demonstrated in this war, in the course of

which science modified tactics had very powerfully affected the strategy of the armed forces. The need for a closer association of the armed forces with civilian' science has been recognised as one of the most important tasks facing the services in their post-war reorganisation. It has been under continuing study by the Government and the chief's of staff since the end of the war, with the result that a defence science organisation has been approved and steps are now being taken 'to attract young New Zealand scientists to research work having a bias towards defence science.

The organisation which has been evolved provides for the establishment of a defence science advisory committee composed of the most eminent scientists in various fields drawn both from Government departments and the universities. This committee is linked with similar committees in other- British Commonwealth countries and is charged with advising the Government and the chiefs of staff generally on all the scientific questions affecting defence. The personnel of this committee will be anounced later. In adition,. there is an inter-departmental organisation which ensures that the activities of the three services' and the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research are adequately co-ordinated in the field of defence science and provides machinery for the examination and prosecution of any defence science projects. The Government has also approved proposals for the establishment of a defence scientific corps, the members of which would be recruited from university graduates with high qualifications. They would be appointed for a period of five years and while in the corps they would be employed on the advice, of the defence science advisory committee on defence science projects within the Commonwealth. Members of the defence scientific corps will have unique opportunities .of gaining higher academic qualifications at overseas institutes within the Commonwealth. At the conclusion of the initial period of engagement, they will be eligible for permanent commissions in the technical branches of the regular forces, although it is anticipated that the bulk of such scientific officers' will accept employment at, universities, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, or with in-| dustry. The precise terms and conditions of employment in the corps will be notified later. The estimated annual cost oi the, defence scientific corps is £25,000, but, this amount will not be expended i until about the fifth year of its es-l tablishment. No precise estimate is j available at this juncture of the sum j that will be expended anually on de-i fence science projects, but it is our intention to contribute on a substantial basis to this work, particularly on problems of significance to the New Zealand forces. Our work in this field will provide for the continuation of the arrangements under which selected officers are seconded to defence science work in other British Commonwealth countries. At the moment arrangements are being made for two New Zealand scientists to proceed to Australia for work on the rocket project. It should be noted that New Zealand undertook a special radar survey in Canterbury, which, I believe yielded information of value not only locally but to other British Commonwealth countries. DEFENCE ORGANISATION

Before the war a small organisation was established, known as the organisation for national security, to co-ordinate defence plans and to prepare the Government War Book. Though the organisation has not been re-created in this form, positive steps have been taken to secure co-ordina-tion of plans, particularly between the armed forces; these will be extended to cover co-ordination between the armed forces and civil departments of Government. This is necessary, as preparations for an emergency do not concern the armed forces alone. Experience of the last two wars has proved that war is not solely the business of the Armed forces. It affects every member of the community—none is unaffected. The principal service committee is the chiefs of staff and this is to be assisted by two main committees dealing with personnel and ’supply questions. There are also committees to deal with operational problems, the principal of which is the joint planning committee. On these committees representative of civil departments of Government are included, where necessary. The principal committee, dealing with personal problems (the principal administrative officers’ commitee (personnel)) has considered the question of amalgamation, or coordination where this is not practicable, of common administrative services of rhe armed forces. Planning

of this kind should lead to efficiency and economy in the armed forces.

LIAISON

An essential point of our defence policy is to maintain close liaison with’ the other British Comonwealth countries, and particularly the United Kingdom and Australia, both of which share) with New Zealand a substantial interest in the Pacific. For this purpose we have established joint service liaison staffs in London and Melbourne. These staffs represent the views of the New Zealand chiefs of staff in discussions respectively with the United Kingdom and Australian chiefs of staff and the Australian Department of Defence. Here in New Zealand the Australian Government has appointed a defence representative, while the representatives of the United Kingdom chiefs of staff are expected to arrive here about the middle of this year. This close liaison will be most valuable to us in framing our defence policies, moreover, we will continue to maintain a close liaison on defence with the United States.” CONCLUSION

Mr Jones stated in conclusion that a great deal of thought and consider-

ation has been given to these proposals and the best advice has been sought and obtained as to the forces that should be established in New Zealand. Action has already been taken tn implement them and to build up an

effective defence for this Dominion. The need for efficient defence forces and organisation is clear, and the foregoing proposals show the steps now being taken to give elfect to the Government’s plans.