PUBLIC SUPPORT NEEDED
TOWN HALL MEETING
In response to the steadily-growing public opinion that New Zealand should do a great deal more than it is at. present doing in placing the country's defence forces on a sound and satisfactory footing the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Defence League has convened a public meeting, which will be held in the Town Hall tomorrow night, and it is urged that all those interested should make a special effort to attend and thereby give the necessary support. Tbo Mayor, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, will preside, and an address will be given by the Hon. W. Perry, M.L.C., Dominion president of the League.
It is pointed out that in the present state of the1 world, with Europe becoming a vast armed camp and engaging in an unprecedented race for armaments, while the situation in the Pacific is far from satisfactory, there never was a time when it is more necessary for the people of New Zealand to correctly assess the position and take action accordingly. This is specially emphasised in the importance which the British House of Commons attached to the declaration by the Prime Minister (Mr. Neville Chamberlain) last week, that the maintenance of naval bases and strategic points in various parts of the world was "not as vital as the defence of our country, because as long as we are undefeated at home, even if we- sustain losses overseas, we may have an opportunity to make them good afterwards." j
"The inference drawn from this statement," stated the cable message, "was that in the event of war Britain may not be able to defend her overseas possessions if concentration of her forces on the home shores is imperative. This is further regarded as a reminder to the Dominions that Britain considers they must do their utmost to establish their own defences."
The new Defence League, it is stressed, is strictly non-party politically, and the object of the meeting is to demonstrate to the Government, irrespective of party, that in taking further measures for the adequate defence of the country it will have the support of the people of New Zealand behind it.
The Port Nicholson Silver Band will play selections in the Town Hall from 7.30 p.m.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19380323.2.106.1
Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 69, 23 March 1938, Page 12
Word Count
377PUBLIC SUPPORT NEEDED Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 69, 23 March 1938, Page 12
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