MILITARY CORPS

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 110, 3 February 1931, Page 11

MILITARY CORPS

Organisation by Idle

DRILL AND PARADES R.S.A. in Opposition Dominion Special Service. Auckland, February 2. The organised unemployed in Auckland took a step to-day which is described by Sir George Richardson, president of the Auckland Returned Soldiers’ Association as “a very regrettable move.” At the conclusion of a parade through Queen Street the men held a meeting at the Trades Hall and decided forthwith to form themselves into a “labour defence corps” under military discipline. It was stated by an official of the new organisation after the meeting that between 800 and 900 men had volunteered to join the corps. “About 50 per cent, of us are exservicemen well used to military discipline, and we will be drilled by 60 officers and non-commissioned officers, nearly all of whom have seen active service on a strict military basis,” said the official. “Regular drills will be held and parades will be made through Queen Street as we do at present. Each parade will be organised in companies and platoons under respective commanders.” Strong condemnation of the action ot the unemployed was voiced by Sir George Richardson, when informed of the men’s move. “This new movement has the sympathy of neither myself nor any member of the executive of the R.S.A., ne said. “It is wrong in principle, and every member of the executive is entirely opposed to it. I am extremely sorry to see such a step taken.