CAMPAIGN MERELY COMMON MENU

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 19, 24 January 1939, Page 7

CAMPAIGN MERELY COMMON MENU

NATIONAL SERVICE. Necessary to Organise In Peace Time. MB. CHAMBERLAIN'S VIEWS. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, January 23. Mr. Chamberlain, inaugurating the National Service Campaign, said it was a scheme to make us ready for war. "That does not mean I think war is coming. You know I have done all I can to preserve peace for ourselves and others," he added. "We would never begin a war, but we might be forced to participate in a war begun by others, or we might be attacked if the Government of another country thought we could not defend ourselves. "Therefore, the better we are prepared | the less likely is it that any aggressor j will try an adventure where the chances I of success would be so unpromising. "Development of air forces has | deprived Britain of its old island security. Civilians might be the first victims of attack, and it is necessary that organisation for their protection be made in peace time. "Moreover, we must train in peace time, for there will be 110 time to train after a war starts. Therefore, the scheme is merely common prudence." Compulsion Not Favoured. Mr. Chamberlain asked all who were ready to volunteer, and who were not already engaged in work essential to the country's security, to choose some form of service outside their ordinary work. He concluded: "There are some who believe a compulsory scheme would be more effective, but compulsion is not in accordance with the democratic system under which we live, or consistent with the tradition of freedom we have always striven to maintain. "We are confident we shall get all the volunteers required without recourse to compulsion. It is for you to show the world" what a free people are prepared to do in defence of their liberties and ideals, and I am confident the call will bring the response for which I ask."