URGENCY STRESSED

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 32, 8 February 1939, Page 12

URGENCY STRESSED

"TIME AGAINST US"

CITIZEN FORCE

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) HASTINGS, February 7. "Since the present Government assumed office it has devoted time and money to the improvement of the Dominion's defence," said Mr. W. E. I Barnard, M.P., who addressed a crowded meeting at Napier tonight on New Zealand's deience with the object of stimulating interest in defence matters. He suggested the formation of a citizen defence army i of 20,000 men on a voluntary basis, aided by a ballot among eligible men, for service in districts not filling the volunteer quota. "The naval arm has been strengthened and the Air Force is developing under a well-defined and progressive plan," he said, "but in respect of land forces the policy of the Government has not been fulfilled. Not only is this so, but it is now questionable whether that policy is enough, even if complemented to the full, in the light of the international situation which almost daily grows more dangerous to the peace of the world.

After discussing reasons for the apathy of the public and youth to the call for enlistment in the land forces, Mr. Barnard said that New Zealand was not sufficiently appreciative of the necessity for defence. "We tend, as a people, to be so engrossed in domestic matters—guaranteed prices, Social Security, awards, import restrictions— that we have little time to devote to international problems, yet these might at any moment take a turn and throw our domestic concerns in the shade," he said. "Let us not try to seek spurious comfort by recalling the distance we are from the scene of events. Each world flight of bombing planes sees the space dividing "us from'tfrs rest of the world shrink further. . We are not so remote from Japan, which, to put it mildly, cannot be reckoned as a friendly or even a neutral Power in the event of a European war involving the British Empire.- Have no doubt about it. If Great Britain is at war New Zealand will also be involved in war, and Britain is straining every nerve and every resource to re-arm against what appears Ito be time. BRITAIN'S ATTITUDE. "Anyone who reads 'the daily newspaper with average" care cannot fail to be impressed with the growing menace of States hostile to democracy —States whose lust for territory and power increases the more it is indulged in. For the sake of so-called appeasement we consented to the sacrifice of Spain. We aided and abetted the sacrifice of Czechoslovakia. We do nothing except write an occasional ffltile Note while Japan wages horrible war on soldiers and civilians in China, men, women, and children alike. About a fortnight ago the Premier of Japan was reported to have said: 'I hope the Chinese realise that Japan's policy is enabling .co-operation. If they fail to understand, we have no alternative but to exterminate them.' "What are we to do if some day Japan demands co-operation on her own terms from Australia and New Zealand? asked Mr. Barnard. "I touch on these things not to try to create a scare and still less to create ill will towards any foreign people, but to indicate briefly the-crying need t6 rouse ourselves from our present apathy and unconcern. Our concern should be to inspire every man and woman to support a proper policy and scheme for home defence which will provide adequate numbers of citizen soldiers and an effective system of military training. Declarations of war are out of date. It will be \ too late to train men after the first gun has been fired and the first bomb dropped. "Are our Territorials sufficient?' asked Mr. Barnard. About two years ago, he said, it was decided that; a well-trained and balanced force of 9000 Territorials would suffice for the defence of the Dominion. Nine thousand fully-trained men might have been enough two years ago. but it was not enough today. : A STRONGER FORCE. "My own view," added Mr,. Barnard, "which is shared by some responsible people, is that we should aim at training not less than 20,000 men at a time. For home defence purposes older and maturer men should be found in the defence forces. Their presence there in numbers, would provide most convincing examples to the younger men. Besides this the natural leaders; of the community, who are to be found among the older men, would, in many cases, furnish the leadership required hi the development and maintenance of a citizen army which the country needs. Let the age enlistment be a minimum of 20 years with only maximum fitness to pass the doctor. We ought not to be content to pass the responsibility on to youth as we are doing today." > '■ The question arose, continued Mr. J Barnard, how to get 20,000 men. There was small hope of procuring them voluntarily. He did-not'thini* any general or "blanket" provision for compulsory service in peace time was | required. The whole Dominion could J be divided into suitable districts, j centring as much as possible upon aj city or town and a definite' continuing quota could be required of each district. Mayors, chairmen of county councils, and other local body representatives would bf urged to use their efforts to secure the necessary quotas. Healthy rivalry of citizenship \ -ould thereby be encouraged. All would be voluntary, but there would be provision that any district which failed to find or maintain its quota would be compelled to make up the deficiency, the shortage being made up through, say, a ballot of men oetween selected ages. No district would wish to have compulsion applied. Each would endeavour to find its quota, probably with success in every instance.

"There is no time to be lost,' urged Mr. Barnard. "It will take time to build up such a citizpn force as I have roughly sketched Time is against us. We cannot afford to procrastinate or merely to tinker about with defence.'