“NO NEED FOR PANIC”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 April 1939, Page 3

“NO NEED FOR PANIC”

AIR SAVAGE ON DEFENCE CONFERENCE PREPARING FOR POSSIBLE EMERGENCY. CANNOT RELY ON EFFORTS OF INDIVIDUALS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, April 25. I “There is no need for panic. We i are just preparing for the worst, and if it dees come we will have lost ' nothing by preparing," said the Prime I Minister, Mr Savage, in reviewing 1 plans for the defence of New Zealand. In expressing his satisfaction with the Pacific Defence Conference now in progress in Wellington, Mr Savage said it had come completely up to his expectations. The conference had done invaluable work in showing how the defence system of New Zealand should be developed to meet the country’s growing needs. “I have to return to Wellington sooner than I had planned to see the conference delegates before they leave and see their report," Mr Savage said. “I will be in Wellington on Wednesday morning, and we will see what the recommendations are and build on them as far as it is possible: We are not guessing. We are getting information from those who should know what they are talking about.” The importance of the conference to New Zealand was emphasised by Mr Savage. He said the expansion of the Dominion’s defences would be based largely upon, decisions made at the conference, in addition, the Government had instructed its own senior officers to report on various aspects of defence in New Zealand. “I can easily visualise an emergency in New Zealand without introducing war, when it would be necessary for men and women to flock to the help of those in need,” he continued. “Napier furnished one instance, and an organisation on general and national lines to meet any emergency, military if necessary, is long overdue. “What we want to see is a army with every man at his job,” he said, “and, if the call comes, with every man knowing what he has to do. Certain men in all lines will stay where they are, while their brothers are tinder arms. Our job is to see that the organisation is there, arranged in peace time? Mr Savage made it clear that he did hot intend to discuss details of military tactics to be employed in an emergency. He said his task was to have some vision of principles and go to the experts for details. “I think it is all to the good, but we cannot reply on the efforts of individuals,” he added, when asked for his opinion of various endeavours being made at- the moment to' stimulate recruiting in different parts of New Zealand. “We can say good' luck to those who have taken the matter up, but it is a national responsibility. , “What I want to do is to use the power of New Zealand as far as possible toward peace,” Mr Savage concluded. He said he considered that the nations of the world would welcome the opportunity of meeting round the conference table if given the encouragement that the problem deserved.”