VIEW OF FORMER SERVICEMEN

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25608, 24 September 1948, Page 6

VIEW OF FORMER SERVICEMEN

CONSCRIPTION “ONLY FAIR SYSTEM”

COMPULSORY UNIONISM AS PRECEDENT

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 23. “If compulsory unionism is fair and necessary, then surely compulsory military training is the only fair system for defence in a democracy where everyone should bear his burden,” says a letter signed by the Dominion presidents of the New Zealand Returned Services’ Association, the New Zealand Home Servicemeri’s Association, and the New*Zealand Air Force Association, and sent to the chairman of the Federation of Labour, now in conference in Wellington, and to the president of the New Zealand Employers’ Federation. “It is considered that the defence of New Zealand requires a balanced defence organisation consisting of the Navy, Army, Air Force, and civilian services organised in peace for use in war,” says the letter. “Under a voluntary system the whole of the defence of the country is left in the hands of a few patriotic volunteers.

“New Zealanders hava achieved.* a democratic form of life which is highly valued by every citizen and if our country is worth living in and working for it is undoubtedly worth defending. 'This is a responsibility which should therefore be shared by everyone. “Universal national service has been unanimously approved by the annual Dominion conferences of our three exservice organisations—at which delegates from all parts of New Zealand were present. These are the views of the New Zealand. Returned Services’ Association, the New Zealand Home Servicemen’s Association, and the New Zealand Air Force Association, numbering more than 140,000 financial members and they are submitted in the hope your council will support the policy of universal national service.”