OPINIONS SOUGHT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 126, 31 May 1938, Page 9

OPINIONS SOUGHT.

DEFENCE QUESTION.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

DISCUSSION BY EXECUTIVE,

Defence of New Zealand was one of the questions that was seriously discussed at a meeting of the executive of the Xew Zealand Associated Chambers of Commerce at Wellington, said the president, Mr. A. G. Lunn, this niornmg.

Mr. Lnnn stated that the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, in a letter, expressed alarm at the present defence- of Xew Zealand, in view of the trend of world affairs, and considered that the Dominion was not able to defend itself nor take a reasonable share of protection of trade routes. The Dunedin chamber considered that the Government should take more effective action to bring the defence of the Dominion more into line with wlint competent experts

Mr. A. G. Lunn,

on national defence regarded as necessary, and was prepared to pledge loyal and energetic support to such action, even if it involved universal military training. Pending the reorganisation of the Territorial Force, the Dunedin chamber pledged itself to assist to find recruits, and would ask its members to facilitate attendance at camps and training, and to see that trainees did not lose fmanciallv.

Mr. Lunn added that the communication from the Dunedin chamber was very fully discussed. It was decided to circularise the various chambers on the lines of the Dunedin communication, with a view to getting expressions of approval, or otherwise, throughout New Zealand,

and to take such steps as were possible amongst the business community to support the present voluntary training svstem.

Mr. I.unn sak! that action in tlie latter direction had already been taken by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce.