EMPIRE DEFENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 216, 12 September 1935, Page 10

EMPIRE DEFENCE.

NEED FOR VIGILANCE.

LESSON OF GREAT WAR.

WARNING BY LEGION LEADER.

'•The Legion of Frontiersmen began in 1904, when the menace of the German invasion was even then apparent,"' said Captain Roger Pocoek, founder of the Legion, at a luncheon given in his honour by the Royal Empire Society, this afternoon in Messrs. Milne and Choyce's reception hall. Professor F. P. Worley presided, and there was a representative attendance of legionaires* and members of other patriotic societies.

'•We work in with your society in the general cause of Empire solidarity, but our specialised aim is the defence of the Empire," added Captain Pocoek. "Since our inception we have been through every imaginable trouble, but havo survived it all, and the Legion proposes to stay alive." (Applause.)

"What was clear to us as early a-s 1904 was not realised by the general public for many years afterwards. At that time- the legion worked quietly behind the'scenes to give publicity to the German menace and the need" for preparation. Famous novelists were employed to write lurid forecasts.of the horrors of an invasion on defenceless England. Lord Roberts actually spent three months with William Le Quex travelling in Eaet Anglia explaining how easy it would be for an enemy to invade England. The result of that tour was "The German Invasion,' a book which created a stir at the time. Another book that M'ss sponsored bv the legion was 'The Riddle of the Sands.'.

Captain Pocock said that in epite of all their efforts, they knew that they could not prevent the Great War. They could only prepare for it. However, when 1914 came they had only 17,500 men, when at least a quarter of a million were needed. The Legion never talked in an alarmist sense, their job being one of peace and the prevention of war. Realising the enormous losses of the laet war, they should redouble their efforts to prevent war in tlio future if possible, but there could be no safety or peace on earth unless an armed man kept the house. (Applause.)..' ■ ■ • ■ ■

"New Zealand needs an army," continued the captain, "and it ■ should be every citizen's. duty to encourage young men to join the Defence Force. Unless ft, man is trained to defend hi 6 heritage lie is not worthy of it. so I appeal to you to support the Legion of Frontiersmen, which stands for the safety, honour and welfare of our Sovereign and his Dominions.".