STRENGTHENING ARMY

Taranaki Daily News, 17 September 1940, Page 6

STRENGTHENING ARMY

The announcement by the Minister of Defence of the appointment of Sir Andrew Russell as Inspector-General of the New Zealand Forces will be received with general approbation. Since New Zealand entered the war there have been several suggestions for the utilisation of the services of one who had proved himself not only a brilliant soldier but one who possessed also considerable administrative ability. Sir Andrew's r.ssociation with the Returned Soldiers' Association called for the exercise of that i ability in no small .degree, and in other directions he has proved himself a citizen of the Dominion willing and able to accept the responsibilities as well as the privileges of that citizenship. When the formation of a nonparty Cabinet was under discussion it was suggested that Sir Andrew Russell would have made an excellent Minister of Defence. Such an appointment wou^d certainly have been popular with returned exservicemen of all ranks. But if his own wishes could be considered it is probable that Sir Andrew will find more satisfaction in the position to which he has been appointed than in one in which political questions and problems would have arisen almost inevitably even in a non-party Cabinet. As Inspector-General of the ForceS Sir Andrew Russell will be able ohce more to give the Dom-

inion the benefit of his experience as a soldier of high rank. It is true i that conditions and strategy in this j war are different from those in the conflict of 1914-18. But in certain essentials the requirements are similar and it is towards satisfying these essentials that Sir Andrew's appointment should be of value. The Minister's announcement that the Government is preparing for an extension and the strengthening of the New Zealand military forces will come as a relief to many who feared that too much was being left to Great Britain and good luck in the defence of the Dominion. In the organisation of the national defences during the war the public can but trust the Ministers to whom the destinies of New Zealand have been entrusted. There have been indications that those defences may yet be tested very severely. It appears certain also that the war will be a long and strenuous conflict. It will strengthen public confidence therefore to learn that the Government is making provision for whatever contingencies the future may hold.