MONEY FOR DEFENCE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 41, 18 February 1939, Page 10

MONEY FOR DEFENCE

GENERAL SIR A. RUSSELL’S COMMENT REPLY TO MR. SEMPLE [ Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, Feb. 17. In a statement the Minister of Public Works, Hon. R. Semple, referred to remarks made in Hastings by General Sir Andrew Russell, who was reported to have said that it was much more important to spend money on defence than on some public works, such as the Whakatu overbridge. Mr. Semple replied that the Government was taking, and would continue to take, the steps it considered necessary for adequate defence of the Dominion. The overbridge referred to was part of the Government’s road safety policy, in which 250 of the most dangerous level crossings were being eliminated, the cost of the work mentioned being about £78,000. “Next in importance to protecting the country from foreign invasion is protection of the people against themselves,” said Mr. Semple. “We certainly could not allow the death and accident rate on our roads to continue. Otherwise it would be difficult to say which was the more insidious, war or road hazard. In the Great War New Zealand's casualties were 58,000, or about the same number as road casualties of the last 13 years. If we prevent our manhood being killed or maimed on the highways and byways we will be in a better position to meet any foreign attack.” The Minister said the estimated ’expenditure this financial year for [the construction of civil aerodromes was £200,000, for defence aerodromes £60,000, and about £170,000 would be spent on the latter next year. The expenditure on defence buildings and ground services this year amounted to £260.000.

The Minister outlined what the present Government had accomplished in respect to defence aerodromes, with special reference to Ohakea and Whenuapai, neither of which had been begun by the last Government. In addition the Wigram and Hobsonville air bases had been brought up to modern standard. The Government was also doing much more than had ever been attempted in training me.n for the air and an aerodrome for training purposes was now being built in Blenheim.

Emergency landing grounds had been built throughout the Dominion. Mr. Semple said Sir Andrew' Russell was not generous in belittling the Government for its policy of reducing road accidents. Since 1935 there had been 6000 casualties at railway crossings, resulting in more than 200 deaths.

"Those who attempt to get rid of this slaughter surely deserve to Ire called something better than fools, even by an officer of the rank of Sir Andrew Russell.” added the Minister.