DOMINION DEFENCE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 41, 28 November 1938, Page 6

DOMINION DEFENCE

COMPULSORY SYSTEM URGED.

ON BASIS OF 1921 POSITION

B BY THE LEAGUE

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, November 27. Resolutions urging the creation of a national register, co-operation in defence with Australia, equality of economic sacrifice in war-time, and a return to compulsory training, with a restoration of the old Territorial units on the 1921 basis, wore* passed at the Dominion coniorenco of the New Zealand Defence League, held in Wellington recently.

The Hon. W. Perry (Dominion president) presided. It was unanimously agreed to advocate the following measures in the achievement of the League's aims and objects:

(1) A minimum of three months’ compulsory continuous recruit training by all youths on attaining the age of 18 years. '

(2) Thereafter continuity of compulsory training in the Territorials for a period of four years.

(3) The restoration of tho old Territorial units which existed before 1921 by tho immediate utilisation of the compulsory trainees as indicated in the previous decision.

(4) The League affirms tho principle of equality of economic sacrifice in wartime.

(5) That the defence of Australia and Now Zealand he looked on as one and indivisible, and the League urges that plans for joint and mutual defence be< the subject of consultation between the general staffs of the two countries. (6) ’The League advocates the establishment of a, national register of both sexes with the obligation on the part of those registered to render such service to the country as may he most convenient to their ability and the requirements of the situation. (7) That this meeting of tho League expresses its appreciation of legislation designed to improve physical welfare.

It was decided to extend the organisation of the League throughout the length and breadth of the Dominion, and to conduct an extensive educational campaign, with a view to the achievement of the League’s policy.

FORCE CONSIDERED ADEQUATE. THE V TEW ft OF THE GOVERNMENT CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. Commenting on the New Zealand Defence League’s policy of a return to compulsory military training, the Minister of Defence (the Hon. R. Jones) said to-day that the Government had no intention of returning to this system. “Wo think the force we arc training in New Zealand is quite adequate,” said the Minister. “After all, it is a peace-time force which could be rapidly expanded in the event of emergency. Our aim is to give the best training possible to prepare potential leaders who eoukl train others if this was necessary.”

Mr Jones said the Government was well posted with information and had a- substantial basis for the view that the scope of attack on either New Zealand or Australia, could not he more than a raid. This was a matter of opinion. Some people might think differently, but this was the view of the Homo authorities, as recently as the last Imperial Conference, and it was the view of the Chief of Staff in New Zealand to-day. For that reason the New Zealand force was considered adequate. Australia was a larger country, and to protect her long coastline against the possibility of attack by a raider a much larger force was required.