Rangitikei candidates meet in Waiouru

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 657, 8 October 1996, Page 8

Rangitikei candidates meet in Waiouru

FROM PAGE 7 is absolutely assured," the minister said. He said the only change likely was the increase of LSV numbers from 700 to around 2000, with about 1400 going to Waiouru. He said he understood TAD (The Army Depot) may re-locate to Burnham to make way for the increase in LSV' s. The minister said that 50 percent of the funding for the LSV scheme would come from the employment service. He said he strongly supported the inclusion of New Zealanders in UN forces and

it was government policy to continue to deploy peacekeeping missions as it saw fit. Mr Marshall said there will be other exercises and New Zealand would become involved with visits from forces from other countries. "We will ensure New Zealand continues to have the very best we can afford for a small defence force," Mr Marshall said, giving the examples of the purchase of new ground to air missiles and the intended upgrade of the C130 Hercules aircraft.

Vic Jarvis Christian Coalition candidate Vic Jarvis said New Zealand needs to maintain a defence force and the party would support a budget that would do so. Mr Jarvis said Waiouru would remain and be upgraded. The Christian Coalition supports the ANZUS treaty and partnerships with long-time allies, but wishes to avoid overseas deployments apart from peacekeeping, Mf Jarvis said. He would question contacts with Malaysia and would like to see 'J' Force soldiers recognised. The LSV scheme would be supported. Hamish Mclntyre Alliance candidate Hamish Mclntyre said there was no definite policy on compulsory military training or the LSV scheme. "We're not against it, but we' re certainly not promoting it," Mr Mclntyre said. He said the government had cut the defence budget to the bone and should not have bought the frigates which cost $40 million. The Alliance would keep training for peacekeeping up to scratch and would amalgamate the Na vy and Ai rforce to provide special purpose vessels for fisheries protection and coastal monitoring. Mr Mclntyre said the Alliance had no definite plans for Waiouru camp. It would be Alliance policy to formally withdraw from ANZUS and formal treaties, but New Zealand would work with the UN.

Bruce Beetham Next to speak was independent Bruce Beetham. Mr Beetham has been a Member of Parliament as the leader of Social Credit. Mr Beetham said he would support more, not fewer, resources for the armed forces. He would support UN inclusion where it was "reasonable and feasible", and would advise discretion with who New Zealand exercised with. Mr Beetham said he would like to see the LSV scheme expanded even further and said defence minded voters should give their party vote to National. "Clearly, in terms of political parties the armed services' interests will be best served if you use your party vote to support National, which of all the parties is offering the armed services the best deal," Mr Beetham said. Heexplained that a vote for N ational with the Rangitikei electorate vote would not give National any extra seats in parliament as seats are deter'mined by the party vote. "By contrast, when you elect me as Rangitikei ' s MP (with your electorate vote), the armed services will get an additional vote in parliament," Mr Beetham said. Jim Howard Conservati ve representative Jim Howard spoke next and said it would be somewhat arrogant for a small party to have a budget for the defence vote, but the party did have a very clear stance on Waiouru. "To ensure Waiouru is the number one training centre for the armed forces," Mr Howard said. He added that it was good news that the future of Waiouru was assured and that he had been keeping up with the community's concerns. He shared support for the LSV type of approach saying it was very good value. Mr Howard said the Conserva-

tives support serving with other countries and forming alliances and was particularly keen that the government re-establish full alliances with traditional partners such as the USA, Britain and Australia. Peter Woolston New Zealand First representative Peter Woolston spoke last and was the butt of some heckling when he announced hi s party was yet to deli ver its defence policy. However, he did say that after speaking to his colleagues, New Zealand First had no intention of reducing the defence budget. The party would not be supporting the purchase of the frigates, and New Zealand First would not interfere with the running of Waiouru camp. "New Zealand First would not interfere at this level. It's an internal decision." Mr Woolston said. He supplied a "yes" to UN support although there is no decision on supplying

fighting forces or combat troops, and "yes" to exercising with other countries. A collective contract was needed particularly with

Australia. New Zealand First has no plans for compulsory military training and encourages the LSV scheme, Mr Woolston said.