CELEBRATIONS BY SAVAGE CLUB

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25810, 23 May 1949, Page 8

CELEBRATIONS BY SAVAGE CLUB

ADDRESS BY MR R. A. YOUNG "What every rational person in the Empire is now concerned about is whether Britain and her Dominions can afford themselves even the slight luxury of this respite,” said Mr R. A. Young, vice-president of the Christchurch Savage Club in an address on Saturday evening, when the club celebrated Empire Day. After dealing with the aspects of the two world wars, Mr Young said that there was another nation, at the present time with more than 3,000.000 men and women under arms. That number represented 200 combat divisions. “In the event of war that force could readily be extended to 450 infantry divisions, 50 armoured divisions, and 345 cavalry divisions,” he said. “It is known to have 14,000 combat aircraft, including four-engined jet bombers of the latest design,” he said. Even without atomic energy that country was a force to be reckoned with, and its present mobile strength was probably greater than that of all the democracies in the world. “That is not the greatest danger. In fcvery part of the world, agents of that country are working by stealth to cause unrest and strife. They are working to cause a break-down in the democratic way of life, seeking to set aside the principles of British justice and the observance of law ai d order,” be continued. “Fortunately we are all aware of what is going on, but as loyal British subjects we must suppress this insidious evil.” Recently the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) returned from a conference in London having acted for the Dominion in vital discussions affecting the stability of the British Commonwealth, said Mr Young. “He told us that he had pledged New Zealand for continuing Commonwealth unity. Our country will be proud to honour that pledge.” Among the official guests were the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr E. H. Andrews), the Deputy-Mayor (Mr J. N. Clarke), and the president of the Royal Empire Society (Mr R. H. Livingstone) .