Defence Minister's Message

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 88, 15 April 1939, Page 12 (Supplement)

Defence Minister's Message

TTHEREL was every reason to *• believe when we threw aside our uniforms 20 years ago that we had done for ever with military service; that the war to end war had been fought and won and the world would never again be called upon to face or participate in the dread horrors of the destruction of fellow human beings. That may have been but mvflv

Facing realities as Ave fin<l them in the international situation to-day, we find that cheerful optimism of two decades ago displaced by gloomy fears; the world seems on the brink of another Armageddon even more maniacal and horrifying than the last. Should that dread eventually materialise, there seems every reason to believe that we old soldiers would find it difficult to close our eyes or ears to the need of and the call for our services. This is evidently contemplated by the Defence Minister of the Dominion. A tour of branches of the Imperial ExServicemen's Associations in the North Island was made recently by Mr. S. M. Thomson, of the Palmerston North Club, and to large meetings of Imperial men at Rotorua, Hamilton and Taihape, at all of which he was warmly welcomed, he carried the following message from the Hon. F. Jones, Minister of Defence, to all ex-servicemen: "The personal experience of those who played their part during the bitter years of 1914-18 must have left no doubts in their minds as to the futility of war from every point of view. We*do not wai.t war; we need peace to continue the steady development of this free land. But there is no disguising from ourselves that no matter what our wishes may be, we may be called upon to defend ourselves against aggressors.

"Opinions may vary as to the basis on which the defence forces of the Dominion should be organised. I feel sure, however, that all will appreciate the need for public support of our volunteer territorial force. It. is a citizen army. As such, its memfbers live in full daily contact with the people and are of the people. If, in his civilian world, the volunteer territorial finds indifference and lack of interest in the army's work, or meets with destructiva and ill-informed criticism from those who will not serve themselves, it cannot fail to have a harmful reaction upon his enthusiasm and keenness. He begins to wonder whether the sacrifice of his own time for sport and recreation, and the devotion of bis leisure hours *o military study, are of any value. He looks to the returned soldiers, with their hard-won experience, for the guidance and support which is hie due and, if I may so, their responsibility. "Ex-servicemen can help so much by taking an interest in the training and welfare of the territorials, by pointing out to fellow citizens, who are parents or employers of these volunteers, the co-operation they can give, by indicating their duty to those young men who have not joined up. As those who have served know so well, the morale of a ighting force, which is so vital to success or failure, grows and feeds upon the spirit of the individual and the spirit of the unit. "Backed by strong, sympathetic public support, the individual territorial responds by showing . inerease/1 enthusiasm and heightened efficiency; and the force as a whole, reacts to this impulse. The active interest and encouragement of ex-servicemen's organisations cannot fail to be a big factor in moulding public opinion. I feel sure I can count upon this help."