TANKS AND GUNS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 81, 5 April 1941, Page 6

TANKS AND GUNS.

AUCKLAND PARADE. DEFENCE OF DOMINION. Plan? for a parade of defence unit* in Auckland on .Saturday, May 10, featuring tank?, gfiins and modern war equipment, and in which various brandies of the Armed Forces and many organisations will take part, wore discussed at a. moetinir held at the Town Hall this morning, when the Minister of National Service, the Hon. R. Scinplc, was present. The Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis, presided over a large and representative attendance. Mr. Semplo raid that the War Cabinet had decided that it would lie in the interests of the country, and help the people throughout New Zealand if they had a parade, of all the Forces in Auckland, with some of the equipment arranged in the few months for the defence of the country, i>o as to give the people some idea of the home defence organisation. What Can Be Done. Mr. Somple added that similar parades were being organised at Wellington and Christchurch. At the parades it was. proposed to have a display of tanks, 1 >i ir gniuS trench mortars, and other equipment, to show what was being done in New Zealand, and what could be manufactured for the home defence of the IJominion. There were now nearly 90,000 in the Homo Guard. The proposed parades would have a psychological and moral effect, and they wanted the. people to realise the uteps being taken for the safety of New Zealand. In Wellington the matter had been taken up with wonderful enthusiasm, and arrangements had been made for a large parade at Christchurch.

"We want the people to realise that we are alive, and earnest to our responsibilities," said Mr. Semplo, "ami the question is now for the people of Auckland to take it up." Mr. H. J. Butcher said they had already arranged a parade for the metropolitan area, on April 27, at the Domain. Mr. Semple said that that would not make any difference, long- as the parades did not clash. He added that the army would take rliarge of 1 lie parade, as the War I'abinct had agreed that that was desirable. Suggestions Adopted. On the. motion of Sir Krnest, the Minister's suggestions were adopted. May 10 was selected .v the most suitable, day for the parade, and it wa* deeided to eet up a sub-committee to make arrangements.