DEFENCE OF OUR COUNTRY

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 71, 25 March 1938, Page 10

DEFENCE OF OUR COUNTRY

(To the Editor.) Sir,—Having quoted Buskin in order to prove that war is full of virtue and peace full of vice, "Digger" now asks whether I would employ the police for protection from a burglar. He reminds me that the police do in civil life what is expected of the soldier at war. The analogy is a false one. The duty of the police is to arrest a guilty or possibly guilty person, with as little violence as possible to that person and none to anyone else. He. must then bring% the prisoner before an impartial tribunal which judicially, calmly, and dispassionately determines his guilt or innocence and pronounces sentence (upon the prisoner alone), or discharge, according to well-defined rules. s What is expected of the soldier, on the other hand, is very forcibly illustrated by present or recent military activities ja Abyssinia, Spain, China,

and on the north-v/est frontier of India. Men, women, and children, innocent or guilty, combatant or noncombatant, are indiscriminately slaughtered. In order to "protect"- Iny family from attack a policeman docs not, kill the criminal, his wife, and his children, my wife and children, and a number of others equally unconnected and innocent. Modern war does. However, while "Digger's" question is thus obviously irrelevant, I have no objection to answering it. I would not ask for police protection from a burglar, or from anyone else.

"Another Digger" seems quite positive about the next war. die of tha principal reasons for which men like "Digger" and "Another Digger" and so many others fought and bled with such desperate but mistaken courage and devotion, was that the Great War was a war to end war. Surely,these will not object if many now intend to live as if the things for which they fought were true and valid and right? i—l am, etc., A. C. BARRINGTON. Kilbirnie. March 24. . E 1 i (To the Editor,? Sir,— Tonight I attended the large and enthusiastic meeting at the Town Hall, whose object it was to foster real interest in the defence of this country. It is very much to be hoped that the Government will act, and act quickly, in this -matter. Things move' so fast these days, that if there should chance to be an outbreak of hostilities, New Zealand should be prepared for it, prepared so that a maximum trained force can be mobilised in a minimum of time. Already something has been done on the material side (the Air Force in particular)—much more remains in the personal respect. Surely it is imperative that our peace-time strength should be increased to a force which can give a real account of itself. New Zealand is. a country of small population: all the more reason we. should have a highly powerful fighting machine, even more powerful relatively than a bigger country. Not enough inducement is being offered young men to join the Territorial Forces. Much more encouragement should be shown and employers can do much in this respect. Should compulsory training be introduced again I do not' think there would be really much opposition by young men of New Zealand if they fully, realised the position,1 but if it is brought in again it must be a better and more congenial system than the last.—l am, etc., ' . EN AVANT. March 21 ..

"Albion Eover" also writes on. the same subject:— "It is a matter for regret to see in print the statement by A. C Barrington that he is one of many who. would not take up arms in the defence of his country. Firstly, will people holding' these views base their claim why New Zealand came to be their country and will it still be their country if it were to fall into the hands of some : enemy (which we hope it never will).' Will . they enjoy ,th» cherished and countless things that they now enjoy under the Union Jack or are they prepared to barter those things^ away and to become a passive, helpless individual without hope or freedom? What has your correspondent, Mr. A.' C. Barrington, to say With I .regard to the slaughter of innocent j and hapless people that is now taking place in various countries, despite the protest of. some churches? We have witnessed, the well-meaning but .futile gesture, of Mr.. George.Lansbury going to Germany and 'Italy with : ~olive branch in hand. We have also, witnessed a complete lack of honour on the part of great countries now threatening the peace of the world. We have also seen the hapless Austrians, lacking solidarity, and unprepared in defence to resist invasion of their country, lose their birthright and.become vassals of another country.l Has Mr. A. C. Barrington lost sight of the fact that the trade routes which are the life blood of New Zealanders are now in danger? The geographical position of New Zealand has lulled into false security the idea now so prevalent 4n the minds of the younger generation that it is no concern of theirs if Britain is in danger. The Hon. W. Perry," M.L.C., has very, ably shattered this illusion. New Zealand should be humbly grateful for such men."