NATIONAL DEFENCE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 147, 3 April 1941, Page 9

NATIONAL DEFENCE.

DEMONSTRATION PARADES

APPROVED.

MAIN CFJNTRES OF DOMINION

(P.A/) WELLINGTON, April 2

An announcement that the Government and the War Cabinet had approved tile holding of national defence demonstrations in the main centres of the Dominion shortly was made by the Minister for National Service (the Hon. R. Semple), addressing,a general parade of the Wellington Women’s War Service Auxiliary this eveiiing. Tin 1 idea, Mr Semplesaid, was to demonstrate to the people of the Dominion what was being done to prepare to defend the country if tho necessity arose. The parades would include military equipment, including 25-ton. New Zea-land-made tanks. The first would bo held in Wellington on April 19, when it was expected that more than 10,000 people would take part. Others would be held in Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, and possibly other centres later.

“We are living in a restless, dangerous world,” said Mr Semple, “where changes are taking place so rapidly we do not know when our turn may come. It would bo worse than stupid if we did not make the necessary arrangements to offer some resistance in the case of invasion. We are threatened*with invasion. It may or may not come. If it does come and we are not prepared then our country is gone and those liberties wo cherish are gone. Wo want to show the people of this country that we are alert to the dangers that surround us and that we are making the necessary preparations to defend these islands.’ Mr Semple congratulated the Women’s War Service Auxiliary on the work it was doing and said ho was thrilled with the number of girls who had paraded. Uniforms would be provided for girls taking part in the parade. “The war news of last week Jjas been heartening,” he said. “Mussolini, ally of Hitler, that gangster with a soul like a fiend from hell, is getting it in the neck. I suppose if we could see him to-night he is sitting in a secluded corner with a wet towel round his head. England is not going to lose this war. If she does civilisation is gone. We will have to ‘fcnduro hardships here. We will have to step on it. We have to answer the call.”