DEFENDING NEW ZEALAND

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 March 1939, Page 4

DEFENDING NEW ZEALAND

PROGRAMME OF LABOUR GOVERNMENT.

BIG CONSIGNMENT OF ‘PLANES ARRIVING.

“Between now and October over 200 aeroplanes for defence purposes will be arriving in New Zealand,” announced Mr J. Robertson, M.P., when discussing the Government’s defence policy in the Municipal Social Hall last night. Mr Robertson said that the consignment would include 30 big bombers, which would be flown by New Zealand pilots trained at Home. No Government, he said, could avoid the responsibility of providing adequate defence for its own country. There had been a complete reorientation of views regarding the defence of New Zealand in recent years. Prior to 1914 ideas were concentrated on sending large forces of men to England in case of war. Today defence in New Zealand was centred round the idea of defending the country itself because it was realised that it would probably be impossible to again send, troops overseas in the event of war.

Critics of Labour's defence policy should be ashamed to say a word. He would say that the Government had done wonders. An air force had been established and was being expanded. When Labour took office they had a few bombers but no bombs. The naval defences were being strengthened and land forces were probably in a higher state of efficiency than they had ever been before in New Zealand. It was regrettable that they should have to spend money in that direction but, unfortunately, the state of world affairs made it inevitable. He did not believe in compulsory military training nor did he believe in its value as a means of defence in, New Zealand.