NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22676, 3 April 1939, Page 14

NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE

TO THB EDITOR Or THE" FSBSB. -Sir, —At the defence meeting. helcl in' Rotherham last Monday evening the speakers spoke in a very able way on our lack of defence, and made a appeal for men, to join up in the territorials/ f it News might conie any day that an enemy has landed on bur shores. Our territorials would be rushed to the scene in the> latest cars, over beautiful roads, in gorgeous uniforms. A minor engagement takes place; both sides dig in, ours in indifferent trenches without wire in front, probably lacking necessary materials and training. The enemy make splendid trenches with well-placed wire entanglements. Our men are ordered to dislodge the enemy at all costs. Our artillery opens with an ineffective barrage, failing to destroy the enemy’s wire because of lack of guns and training of the crews.

Our infantry advances, and are held up by the enemy wire, where they are mown down and slaughtered. Those that live creep back to their trenches. Now the enemy open fire with their artillery on our trenches. They lilt it and their infantry rush in with bayonet and Jhand grenades. Our men have no chance. Because they probably have not any hand grenades, and have .had very little bayonet practice, they are slaughtered. The enemy now march on the principal towns, collect the leading politicians arid financiers, and instruct them to raise money within a given period, failing that, death. Unless the Government is prepared to provide the necessary equipment and training for the men, it is most unwise lor young men to join the territorials. We shall just have to humble ourselves and do whatever our prospective enemy requires.— Yours, etc., W. R. GORTON. March 31, 1939,