Opposition To Abolition Of Military Training In N.Z.

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28530, 8 March 1958, Page 12

Opposition To Abolition Of Military Training In N.Z.

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, March 7. The Government’s proposal to abolish compulsory military training was considered at a meeting last night when it was decided to revive the original Defence League which pressed for the introduction of conscripition in 1909. At the meeting, it was resolved to convene a meeting on a .national basis at an early date, and thenceforth to conduct a vigorous educational campaign to acquaint the people of New Zealand with the facts. The Government’s proposal, a supplied report said, would be challenged largely on tl.e grounds: (1) That the Labour Party’s policy in this matter was decided in camera. (2) That it was a snay decision arrived at without any expert opinion and a realistic presentation of the facts to guide it. (3) That though the proposed abolition of compulsory military training was on the party’s platform, this issue was never debated on the hustings, and the General Election was decided almost entirely on other issues. (4) That a decision to go ahead with repeal in • these circumstances represented a complete negation of the principles of democracy and

(5) That it was proposed to do this in face of the referendum

conducted nine years ago when the electorate voted by a majority of nearly 4 votes to 1 in favour of compulsory military training.

Homeservicemen’s Attitude

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, March 7. 1 The NeW Zealand Homeservicemen’s Association tonight called on the Government to introduce a more satisfactory scheme of defence when it abolished compulsory military training. Mr P. J. Hailes, the Dominion president, said the association played a prominent role in steps which preceded the taking of the national referendum on compulsory training in 1949. The association believed the present Government did not have a mandate to abolish it. The proposal was only one of a number of planks in the! Government’s policy. If any particular proposal caught the electors’ eyes and influenced the result of the general election it was certainly not the proposal for abolition of compulsory military training.