DOMINION DEFENCE

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 305, 21 September 1936, Page 10

DOMINION DEFENCE

League Movement Spreads

AN AUCKLAND BRANCH A branch of the New Zealand .Defence League, which has already made progress with organisation in Wellington and Christchurch, was formed at. a meeting of about 60 representatives of public and semi-publlc bodies, held in Auckland. The organisations represented included local bodies, religious denominations, old boys’ associations, patriotic, .civic, professional, commercial and sporting bodies.

Mr. H. E. Barrowclough, who presided, said that the movement, under the leadership of the Hon. W. Perry. M.L.C., had made considerable progress in Wellington. There was activity iu Christchurch and a meeting was being held in Dunedin. The proposal was to form a New Zealand League, with branches throughout the Dominion. When sufficient of these branches had come into existence a conference of delegates would be held and a constitution drawn up for submission to the individual branches. The suggested main objectives were: (1) To urge the Government to de velop an adequate system of defence and to mobilise and co-ordinate the resources of the Dominion in the event of national emergency. (2) To bring before the public the necessity of adequate defence at the present time, and their responsibility in tlSs regard. (3) To foster and further 'the aims and objects of lhe Navy League, the Territorial Association, and oilier kin dred associations. (4) The league shall not in any cir-

eumstances whatsoever Interfere di rectly or indirectly with industrial dis pules. Mr. A. C. Trousdale, as one of the originators of the movement, said that with others he had waited on the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones who had been sympathetic, though non-committal, and had given a certain amount of information. Mr. J. A Lee. M-P-. and the Rt. Hon. J, G Coates were very sympathetic. On the motion of Colonel J. E. Barton. seconded by Dr. .1 W Craven, the steps taken to form an Auckland branch were approved and the aims and objects of the league were en dorsed. The following committee was appointed: Messrs. H. E. Barrowclough. A. J- Butler. T. H. Dawson. A Wilson, W. Palmer, W. F. Fowlds, W. Calder Mackay, C. H- T. Palmer V J Parkinson. J. Seabrook, P. Sea brook and A 0. Trousdale, Professot F. P Worley, Dr. J. W. Craven, Dr. K MacCormick and Captain A. C. Clayton (secretary)