MEN & MONEY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 August 1939, Page 7

MEN & MONEY

DEFENCE OF NEW ZEALAND CONTENTION IN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NATIONAL & SOCIAL SECURITY. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Their was a storm of protest from the Government benches in the House of Representatives last evening when Mr J. Hargest (Opposition, Awarua) suggested that some of the money set aside for public works and social services should be diverted to defence. Mr Hargest made the suggestion in opening the discussion on the Estimates and it was greeted with exclamations of surprise and disagreement by members of the Government. A reply was made by Mr J.' O'Brien (Government. Westland) and later the Acting-Prem-ier, Mr Fraser, spoke briefly, following the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Hamilton. "It must be apparent to everybody that if this country is threatened not only every human life but every penny and every ounce of property becomes a part of the defences, of the country," Mr Fraser declared. DEFENCE EXPENDITURE. Mr Hargest began by congratulating the Minister of Defence. Mr Jones, on the increased expenditure planned for defence. No one, he said, would detract from the importance of social security or public works, but national security was of greater moment. Mr Jones: "We are spending £5,500,000." Mr Hargest: "That would have been a tremendous sum a few years ago. but now it is not too much." "I am going to suggest that in view of the serious state of affairs in Europe the force of 16.000 men is not adequate." Mr Hargest said. "We have heard rumours this evening of a partial mobilisation of. the fighting forces of Great Britain, and at mis moment there may be many men leaving their homes to serve. We on this side of the world should do our little lot as well as possible. Mr Hargest said he believed that it was necessary that the force of 16,000 men should be trained and augmented, and that if there were 30.000 men it would not be extravagant. "Some of the money for public works and social services should be diverted .to defence,” he said. Government members: “Oh!" Mr Hargest: "I know that social security is an excellent thing, but it is not as important as national security." Mr Osborne (Government. Onehunga): "Would you cut the invalids' pension?" BIGGER FORCE ADVOCATED. Mr Hargest, whose speech from mis stage onward was interrupted by continuous interjections, said that he believed that 16,000 men were not enough to defend Wellington, let alone the rest of the Dominion. If anything happened to the rest of the Empire there would be almost a certainly of New Zealand being invaded, and for our present forces, small and comparatively untrained, the task of resisting would be extremely difficult. Mr Hargest concluded by suggesting that Mr Jones should try to persuade Cabinet to divert some of the money at present on the Estimates to the most important thing in the country, assisting in defence. "He has run true to form." said Mr O’Brien (Government. Westland), when cries of “You would rob the orphans and widows" had died down after Mr Hargest’s speech. "I would like to tell him that this counry is worth defending and tnat we are going to defend it but not by robbing the widow or the orphan." Mr O'Brien said that men and money were going to do their share before the poor people were touched. Mr Hargest had suggested that the poor should be the first to make a sacrifice. Government voices: "That is what he said." "It makes my blood boil to hear the honourable gentleman suggest cutting social services," Mr O'Brien added. He said that those who had money would not be allowed to make a heap of profits as they had done before. Mr Coates (Opposition, Kaipara):| ”1 did not make any profits." Mr O'Brien: "Your friends did. If' men in this country are going to lie conscripted the wealth will be. too." Mr Coates: "Why not?" "It is wonderful how touchy the honourable member for West land becomes." said Mr Hamilton. "What the member for Awarua said was that more emphasis should be given to national security than to social security." Labour members: “No such thing. He did not. We heard what he said." Mr Fraser: "There is no difficulty about finance for defence and there will be no difficulty. There is £5.400.000 this year, and if that is not sufficient it is unthinkable that tne question of finance should stand in the way if this country is called upon." Mr Fraser repeated his statement that if the country were threatened every life and all money and property would become part of the defence sys- ’ tern. There was no need, he said, to I argue about money for defence. If it was not there it would be obtained.