WAR THREAT

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 88, 15 April 1939, Page 10

WAR THREAT

ORGANISING COUNTRY

VOLUNTARY SYSTEM URGED

EFFICIENCY ABROAD

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, April 14. Organisation of the manhood and womanhood of New Zealand in the form of allotting tasks to be performed by each individual in the event of a national emergency, was urged by Mr. J. W. Collins, former New Zealand Trade Commissioner in North America, at a luncheon held by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. The scheme he suggested would be on a voluntary basis.

Mr. Collins recently returned to the Dominion after a world tour. During the September crisis, he said, he was in Paris when 1,000,000 men were mobilised for war in 24 hours. Every man and woman in France had previously received a "ticket" and when the call to arms came every person knew where to go and what to do. The organisation was marvellous. There was no confusion.

Every man and woman in Italy and Germany too had a "ticket," Mr. Collins continued, and were prepared to go to their allotted tasks as soon as the call was made. The speaker said he was in Italy after the crisis and saw the demobilisation of the population. Again there was no confusion. He could imagine the system at work in those countries today, though he was convinced that the people did not want war.

Mr. Collins said that in Italy even children from 7 to 12 years of age had their "tickets" and knew where to go in the event of a crisis. Intensive physical training had given Germany a strength in manhood and womanhood that was terrifying.

During the bushfires in Australia early this year, Mr. Cbllins said, he had been told that had, the nation's manpower been organised- the damage would have been considerably less than it was. While some were battling with the flames, thousands were sunbathing on Sydney's beaches.

People in New Zealand were inclined to be too snug and felt that they were safe, he continued. They were oblivious to the fact that in four days aeroplanes from Japan could reach the Dominion; that it was only five days by air from Germany and Italy. Britain would be too occupied near home to be able to lend New Zealand or Australia much help.