Troops must be properly equipped

"The Government must now take a serious look at whether it's continuing to collect on the insurance provided by our defence forces, without paying the full dividend," according to National Party Defence spokesman Simon Power.

He's commenting after the Government announcement today of a further deployment to the Solomon Islands.

"National wishes the New Zealand Army Infantry company well in its mission and, like all New Zealanders, look forward to their safe return.

"The job they are going to do is important and vital work.

"Getting the guns out of the hands of militants must be the first step in a lasting peace in the Islands," Mr Power says.

"New Zealand's Defence personnel were already acquitting themselves well in the Solomons and the reinforcements will make the task easier for the police and defence staff already there.

"National welcomes the deployment and hopes every effort is being taken to ensure the group is properly equipped," Mr Power says.

"There are now several large deployments of New Zealand Defence staff in, or due to leave for, the world's most dangerous spots.

"The risk of overstretching our under-resourced force is now greater than ever," Mr Power says.

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