FORCE FOR JAPAN

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 79, 1 October 1945, Page 9

FORCE FOR JAPAN

MR. HOLLAND'S CRITICISM

P.A. CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 30. Criticism of the Government's decision to send a compulsory force as part of the British Commonwealth force in Japan was expressed today by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Holland, who maintained that, in spite of Government delay, there was still time to raise a voluntary force in New Zealand for this duty. "The first hint that a British Commonwealth force would be sent to. Japan was received by the New Zealand Government before the Japanese surrender over a month ago," said Mr. Holland.

"The Opposition has always been willing to co-operate with the Government in all matters of national importance that transcend considerations of party politics. We were neither informed nor consulted for several weeks after the Government had been approached by the British Prime Minister, Mr. Attlee, with a request that New Zealand should contribute towards the British Commonwealth force of occupation in Japan. "The force can in no sense be called a British Commonwealth force, as South Africa, Australia, and Canada are not in it. . "The American and Australian forces are in the main to be volunteers. "The only point of difference between the Government and the Opposition is that we think the force should be a voluntary one and the Government has decided it shall be a compulsory one. ' "The Opposition is deeply concerned for the welfare of the young men of the latest overseas reinforcements. A. great many of them are in the 22 to 25 years age group and have been in the Army for upwards of five years. Many of them joined the colours soon after leaving school and have hardly been in private employment. # Now they are grown-up men with little or no commercial or industrial experience. In our opinion thpy should be returned to New Zealand at the earliest possible date and the complex problem of their rehabilitation tackled immediately. «*...*,_ "I have reason to believe that if the question of providing a voluntary or compulsory force was submitted to a free vote "of members of Parliament, there would be a substantial majority in favour of a voluntary force."