ORGANISATION OF DEFENCES

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 28, 27 October 1937, Page 6

ORGANISATION OF DEFENCES

— Presa Association.)

Do Government Bills Go Far Enough? • . DEBATE IN THE HOUSE

(By Telegraph-

WELLINGTON, Last Nigkt. ! On tke motion of tke Prime Minister in the House to-day the scope of the debate on the second reading stages of the Army Board Bill was excended to embrace also the Air Force Bill and the Air Department Bill. The Minister of Defence (Hon. F. Jones), speaking of the Army. Boarcl Bill, pointed out that similar boards existed in other countries in the Empire, notably Australia . and South Africa. He mentioned that in the near future they hoped the' three services would all be housed under one roof in the old railway offices building, and proceeded to outline the proposals in tho Bill on lines similar to those he adopted when the Bill was introduced. Mr. Coates stated that if people fondly imagined the Bill would give them security then they were doomed to disappointment. The mere faet that there was a board in no way affeeted the numbers or efficiency of those who joined our land forces. He pointed to " the depletions in the ranks of the permanent forces and asked if the men were satisfied witk. the coaditions and rates of pay. The Defence Council, he srid, appeared to him to be more uf a Cabinet committee than a Council of Defence. He asked if New Zealand's i

scheme of defence accorded -with the lideas of the Imperial Committee of De''fence at Honje and referred to tho insecurity whick people felt at ihe disturbed conditions existing in other parts of the world. New Zealand's first line of defence .was the navy, but our ".osition would not be so happy if part of the navy defending our shores were required in another sphere. It bekoved us then.to organise our coastal defences and our terfitorial and- air forces. Mr. J. A. Lee said the BilL was a move in the right direction. The mere size o.f the defence force to-day was not a test of its efficiency. Mere numbers were insufficient to assure victory be* cause the science of expeditibus killing had made sueh considerable advance in recent years' that if war did occur tkere •would -be no warning. : There would not be the time to train that - tkere kad been in the last war. It was more essen- •• tial* f or the Dominion 's defence that there should be a small number of men who were highly . efficient than that there should be a large number nf men who were merely militarised. He .had uo doubt tkat ihe appointment of thi3 Army Board wouid be all to the good as besides inquiring into . adequato measures of defence it would also be able to estimate the part industry could play in timo of war. Hon. J. Cobbe said ,that members on his side of the House would be prepared! to do anything in their power towardsj assisting- the defence forces of the Dominion in attaining efficiency. Mr. W. J. Lyon said he kad been some wkat per turbed at tke response of the youth of the country to the volunteer system and they would have to make . that service attractive. If a board were set .up it would have a personnel which would see that we had the most effective defence system possible and would supply the- necessary coordination for it. Tke .debate Was adjournedat 5.25, J j