DEFENCE LEAGUE

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 12, 14 July 1939, Page 18

DEFENCE LEAGUE

KELBURN MEETING

Addresses on "The International Situation" by Mr. H. -L. Green, and on "Gas Attack and Protection" by Dr, Alan Tennant were given in St. Michael's schoolroom, Kelburn, last night, under the auspices of the Thorndon and Kelburn branches of the New Zealand Defence League. Mr. G. Davidson, the chairman, apologised for the absence of the Kelburn branch chairman, Mr. Greenish, and welcomed the interest shewn by the large audience* The Kelburn branch now had nearly 400 members and the Thorndon branch 200. Regretting that the youth of the Dominion had not responded to the call of the Prime Minister and joined the Territorials, the chairman said that they were missing a wonderful treat. He had joined the Artillery. The resolution passed a™ the annual conference of the Defence League was "that a system of compulsory universal national service is the only just and effective method of providing an adequate defence system, but in the meantime it urges all citizens to respond to the Prime Minister's appeal and enrol in the national register," and he hoped that every man present had already done so. Mr. Green spoke of the international situation as he saw it, going back to 1914, and pointing out how the present situation had been planned by the totalitarian countries, which trained all sections of their communities from boyhood. Comparing this position with that in New Zealand, he deprecated the ostrich-with-its-head-in-the-sand attitude, and urged the training of every man to defend, not only himself, but the whole population of New Zealand against any country .which might threaten it. Comparing the Dominion's Territorial, cadet, air, and naval strength in 1914 with that of today, he urged the general support of compulsory universal .national service. A country that was prepared to resist by a properly trained land force would not be attacked.

Dr. Tennant explained the properties of the principal gases being used in warfare today, the effect on people who were gassed, and the remedy. Every person should know what to do in the event of a gas attack. Protection was a simple matter. Householders could protect their own homes by keeping windows closed, putting out fires, stopping up chimneys, sealing all cracks, and leaving.only one entrance to the room. The chairman was supported by Mrs. Dennistoun-Wood (vice-president. of the league), Mr. and Mrs. Carlyon (Thorndon branch), Mrs, A. Webb (Mount Victoria branch), Mesdames King, Davidson, and Finch (Kelburn branch), and the Dominion secretary. Mr. E. G. Hewitt.