DEFENCE SYSTEM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22987, 16 September 1936, Page 8

DEFENCE SYSTEM

NEED FOR GREATER STRENGTH COMMERCIAL BODIES INTERESTED Asking members to imagine New Zealand with no export trade for 12 months, the president (Mr Newman R. Wilson) drew attention, at the meeting of the council of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce last night, to the Dominion's needs in respect of defence. His remarks followed the reading i-f a resolution passed by the Associated Chambers congratulating the Government on its determination to create without delay a fully effective defence system, and offering it assistance in obtaining materials and in training the country's manhood The Associated Chambers also submitted a report by a sub-com-mittee pointing out thai the alternatives for New Zealand were a further development of the volunteer system, a reversion to compulsory training, or a regular army. The committee considered the existing force to be weak numerically, and regarded the present expenditure on defence as far from adequate.

" We cannot remain blind and indifferent to the fact that powerful war machines are being built up by certain nations," Mr Wilson stated. " Neither can we expect the taxpayers of Great Britain to find £80,000,000 for naval defence for our especial protection. We depend for prosperity on our overseas trade. Co-operation in defence is the first essential, and the common aim should be the re-establishment of superiority at sea. That is within the resources of the Empire. Imagine New Zealand with no export trade for 12 months! What would happen to our economic structure? The expense of a reasonably efficient local defence force is within our capacity. It is interesting to note that the Philippines have a regular army of about 20,000 and will have, under legislation passed last year, a welldisciplined force of 400,000 citizens." Mr Wilson added that an American military expert had stated that three years would be required to conquer the Philippines, and the cost would be billions of dollars. Mr Wilson suggested that with such a system of defence the Philippines would be less liable to attack. That would also apply to New Zealand if its defences were strengthened.