DEFENCE LEAGUE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 252, 23 October 1936, Page 3

DEFENCE LEAGUE.

LOCAL ACTIVITIES.

DEPUTATIONS TO COUNCILS

COMMITTEES APPOINTED,

Ways and means of speedily gaining public support for the New Zealand Defence League were discussed at a meeting last evening of the provisional committee of the Auckland branch. Finance and publicity committees were appointed, and delegates were detailed to attend to meetings of the Auckland City Council and various local autliorij ties during the next fortnight. The provisional chairman, Mr. H. E. Barrowclough, presided over an enthusiastic meeting. Mr. Barrowclough reviewed the recent conference in Wellington of the provisional council of the league, which, he said, had been attended by representatives from the four main centres, and from Te Kuiti and Gisborne. The conference dealt first with the constitution and rules, and used as a starting point the draft drawn up in Auckland which was practically approved. BSth Auckland and Canterbury had proposed that one of the objccts should be to obtain peace throughout the world, and a clause 'had been adopted supporting the assistance of any practical measure calculated to ensure amity among nations. The general executive in Wellington would consist of the president, four vicepresidents, and one member from each division of the league. The divisions had yet to be established, and it was thought there would be about 12. A decision had been reached to appoint a full-time organiser at the general meeting in March. It was a'gieed that each of the four centres should send £100 to general headquarters for expenses. Wellington, which had made the suggestion, had already handed in its cheque for £100. The suggestion that there should be more publicity carried out in Auckland, by the radio or other means, before the question of finance was dealt with, was made by Mr. W. Palmer. Mr. Barrowclough said it was proposed to have articles dealing with defence contributed once or twice a week to newspapers throughout New Zealand. Mr. A. C. Trousdale presented the report of the sub-committee appointed to deal with the question of co-operation of local bodies. All local bodies in the metropolitan area had been approached, and arrangements had been made for deputations to wait 011 14. The Henderson Town Board and the Devonport Borough Council had refused to receive delegations. The Howick Town Board had arranged to call a public meeting. The metropolitan area lia-d been divided into 20 districts in which sub-branches could be formed. It w,ns decided to write to the New Zealand Territorial Association offering to assist the proposed recruiting campaign in any way possible. The chairman and Messrs. C. H. T. Palmer and T. H. Dawson were appointed as a committee to arrange a method of approach to local bodies. Other committees arc Finance: Messrs. W. F. F.>wlds (convener), H. E. Barrowclough. W. Palmer and Dr. TTardie Neil; publicity: Messrs. A. C. Clayton (convener), C. H. T. Palmer, H. if. Clark, Barrowclough and A. Butler.