MECHANISED ARMY

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 24, 21 October 1937, Page 6

MECHANISED ARMY

Our v Own Correspondent.) -

Question of Mobility.

(From

PALMERSTON N., Tlns Day. During a discussion of the. proposal that the Government should subsidise the breeding of troop horses with the object of having sufficient on hand in the event of a national emergeney, such as the cutting off of petrol supplies, ac yesterday's meeting of the Wellington Central provincial executive of the Farmers' Union, held at Marton, .it was stated that the Government was now mechanising the defence forces andi disposing of its horses. Those assoeiated with the volunteer forces held contrary opinions on the 'value of horse flesh for defence purposes. It was claimed that the mounted units were more mobile thaia mechanised units ,which had to rely on roads, whereas the hoTse could go across coun,try which would prove difficult for •tractors and motor-cars. Mr. D. G.- Gordon (Taihape) was of the opinion that there appeared to be need for action in the direction of in* creasing the country's petrol reserves. In the event of supplies being cnt oS from overseas, New Zealand would be in difficulties if it had to rely on a mechanised force for defence purposes in face of a threatened invasipn. Mr. H. D. Richardson (Feilding) said that the Palestine campaign impressed him as to the mobility of the mounted units and he was in favour of the proposal that the Government subsidise the ibreeding of troop horses. Mr. J. B. S. Dudding (Marton) also tsupported the proposal and stated that •there was a definite sliortage of good Jhacks. This was revealed at recentthorse saies. Mr. D. L. Younger (Feilding) was inot so much concerned about the breeding of horses for use m defence pur-\ poses as he was with the definite shortage of good farm horses. In his district there were no decent sires and it would be a good thing if the Government encouraged the breeding of a good utility stamp of horse by way of subsidising breeding. It was agreed to accord support to the proposal' which was subrnitted in the name of tho Feilding branchc of the union.