NEED ADVICE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 118, 21 May 1938, Page 12

NEED ADVICE.

DEFENCE OF DOMINION. ATTITUDE OF FARMERS. That the Dominion conference should request the Government to inquire from the British Government in what way New Zealand could best contribute towards the defence of the Empire was the substance of a remit passed at the Auckland provincial conference of tha New Zealand Farmers' Union yesterday. It was also desired that the general purport of the British Government's reply should be. made public. Alarm was expressed at the state of the New Zealand defence forces as revealed in the report of senior territorial officrs. In supporting the remit, which was moved by Captain G. Hunter, Major D. E. Bremner said he was sure the public would wholeheartedly support any scheme outlined by the chief of the British General Staff," but it could not be expected "to get behind some queer, purposeless idea put forward by a civilian politician, who apparently is giving the country what he believes the people think they want." Major Bremner suggested the gradual formation of regular brigades comprised of officers, non-commissioned officers and men, who would serve with the colours for three years and wouTd then enter a reserve force for a period of between six and twelve years. In spite of improvements in mechanical methods of warfare, he said, the infantry atill remained the determining factor.