DEFENCE MATTER

Hokitika Guardian, 14 July 1933, Page 2

DEFENCE MATTER

QUESTION OF CO-OPERATION

AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

SYDNEY, July'10

With so much talk about tho lack of co-operation between Now Zealand and Australia, it is refreshing lo hear the. Minister of Defence, Sir George Pearce, mention the possibility of a change at least as far as bis own department is concerned. It has alway been emphasised by defence authorities in Australia that in defence matters particularly Australia and New Zealand should follow the. same policy. The problems of each are considered to be almost identical and it is held that a closer relationship in naval matters must be of benefit to the Dominion • and to the Commonwealth a£ well as to the Empire, ’as a whole.

Sir George. Pearce said that be bad noted an encouraging growth in New Zealand’s desire to co-operate with the Commonwealth in matters of defence, and for his part, he wonkl certainly do his best to foster that spirit which must bo of mutual benefit. He said that Sir James Parr, in a recent conversation with him, had emphasised the New Zealand Government’s willingness for greater co-operation. Evidence of this was to be seen in the recent arrival at Westernport for training of a number of naval trainees from New Zealand who would normally have been sent to England. For some time now New Zealand had been buying ammunition from the Commonwealth, s’aid Sir George. With the rise of exchange on London buying in England had become too costly for tho Dominion. Sir George expresesed pleasure that New Zealand had become a customer of Australia, and said there would be a great expansion of this business when the cordite factoy at Maribvrong, in Victoria was extended.