NATIONAL DEFENCE

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 68, 17 September 1936, Page 4

NATIONAL DEFENCE

SUPPORT FOR LEAGUE

400 MEMBERS ENROLLED

The steady growth of public opmW n in favour of the adoption of an adequate defence policy by toe Dominion was evidenced at th Dominion tTr etin 11 ofthe Wellington blanch 'of thTNew Zealand Defence League, abfe # rJffi ance of 90 people bent on furthering l ent aitnSThb ndHo°n bie W S pLT ML c" ment.The Hon. W. Perry, M.L.C., The chairman said it was most encouraging.to see such an attendance on such a night The movement had. been started by only a few people, and, though only a short period had elapsed, he was glad to be able to say that already over 400 members had paid in their subscriptions, while he knew of ™any others who had been enrolled. The membership fee was 2s 6d per annum, and enrolment books were available for all • those who desired to push on with the organisation, It was hoped that all citizens, irrespective of political parties, would help, and that 'the membership, would soon become so strong that the league would play an effective part in the formation of public opinion. It could not; however, do this without a really big membership, which they must aim at. The movement had now- , been established in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin, and their object was to extend it on the. widest possible basis .throughout the whole Dominion., When that had been done a Dominion conference would be held which would finally determine ,the aims and objects of the league and its organisation. Only provisional cxccutives had been elected up to the present and only provisional aims and objects arrived at. The reason for this was that they wanted "the man in the street" to come into the league land have a say in. determining its policy and in the eiectibn of its officers. No'doubt they. would; soon be strong' enough to hold a public meeting at which the league would place its policy before the people! .• . , They were greatly concerned as a league, he said, at the'-danger which confronted New ' Zealand and the British Empire at the present time, and they wanted to; give all the encouragement they could to the various branches of the defence forces of the Dominion, to encourage the young men to join," and'to, let'these .young men know that they '■■ had public opinion behind them. There was also room for the older people to link up in Red Cross, ambulance, and other work, A general discussion'followed in which suggestions were .made for enlisting, the support' of : various' public bodies, clubs;;, and other institutions, for the appointment of speakers, convening of meetings in the suburbs for the formation of sub-branches, and opening of enrolment booths, etc. . Several speakers urged the adoption of the system of compulsory military trailing as previously,, but the chairman, pointed out that, while he had allowed the fullest latitude in the discussion, the policy of the league was to support the ■ policy of the Government of the day. The present Government, was opposed to; the compulsory system, and they had no hope of, .carrying it.' The object 'bf the league, was to-do its ..Utmost to plate the defence forces 'of; th"e'&Db-" minion on a proper basis. They did not advocate' an Force.: When a crisis arose that was a matter for^he, ;Government- of the day to de-; cide in the best interests of the country. .

Mr. R. Darroch said the league's task was to build up public opinion in support of the Government's policy. They were satisfied at present with that policy, which was to support the League of Nations, by force if necessary. To do that they must have adequate defence forces in New Zealand..

The various suggestions made were referred to, a committee to consider, and report to another meeting to be held on Wednesday next, and the ladies present were formed into a ladies' committee.