NATIONAL DEFENCE

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 48, 25 February 1921, Page 7

NATIONAL DEFENCE

SCHEME

ESTABLISHED IN WAIBABAPA.

A public meeting was held in the Social Hall, Municipal Buildings, Masterton, last night, for the purpose of forming a local branch of the National Defence League of New Zealand, and also of electing a Provisional District Council for the Wairarapa. The Mayor of Masterton (Mr. W. H. Jackson) presided over a. good attendance. Professor J. S. Tennant, of Wellington, in explaining the aims and objects .of the League, said that the teague in no s«nse of the word advocated militarism. ; it did not propose to convert every man into a soldier, but merely to fit him to defend his country in time of need. The main object of the league was to combat tile spirit of indifference by arousing people generally to the necessity for being prepared to meet such ,a crisis as had jilst passed.

Mr. O. A. L. Treadwell, of Wellington, emphasised that what the league required was public support, so aa to bs able to say to the present or any future Government : "We must prepare against Any further calamity." New Zealand was now regarded as a 6ister nation by the Mother Country, and as such must be prepared to provide her own "unit of defence. . .

Dr. W,E. Herbert, also of Wellington, said that" tho health. of this country was perhaps the most important object of the leagus,. and every boy that required physical betterment should have the opportunity of proper instruction.

. Dr. P< B. Cook moved that a branch of. the National Defence League be formed in Masterton. This was seconded by Mr. il. Home, and carried unanimously. The following were appoint&Sfo act as the Wairarapa District Covmcil until the new council is elected by other branches to be formed throughout the district:— The Mayor (Mr. W.. H. Jackson), Sir Walter Buchanan, Dre. Archer Hosking and N. Pribiv Mflssi's. 11. M'Kenzie, Douglas, B. Home, D.' CaseTberg, B. F. 8.. Beetham, Bromley Hill, J. M.> Obradine, A. O. Major, "and C. E. Daniell, Mesdarnes W. H; Jackson, Joseph Caselberg, J. M. Ooradine, Page, M.8.E., and Dr. Helen Oowie.