SOUMD DEFENCE

Evening Star, Issue 17320, 7 April 1920, Page 7

SOUMD DEFENCE

NATIONAL LEAGUE FORMED. WHITE NEW ZEALAND POLICY.. IMPORTANT NEW PROPOSALS. . / GENERAL RUSSELL, PRESIDENT. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, April 6. .It is officially*announced that at a wellattended meeting held in AA r ellingtou some days ago it was decided to,-re-establish the" National Defence League of New Zealand, which ceased to exist on the introduction of compulsory defensive t.rainiiig eight- years ago, and to place the league oh a permanent footing, with a view to, .educating the people ' ai the country on the necessity for maintaining a sound system of defence. i OPPOSED TO AGGRESSIVE MILITARISM. The members of the league, who are civilians' only, are strongly opposed to the introduction of any spirit of aggressive militarism in this country, and as far as the league is concerned have specially provided against this in the constitutidn. which insist* on the supremacy of the civilian with civilian ideas. Oil the other hand, particularly in View of recent events, they are strongly of opinion that New Zealand cannot afford to slacken off in matters of defence, and that if the people of New Zealand are to maintain their privileges and ideals they must be prepared to defend them "adequately should the occasion arise. NON-PARTY. The objects of the league are plainly set out iii the constitution and rules, copies of which are now available. In the constitution it is provided: " The National Defence League of New Zealand shall be non-party political, except in so far as it will oppose any political party who aim at. the weakening of the -National Defence Forces of New Zealand, or would dispense with the compulsory training system, or would in any way impair, the efficiency of our Defence Fuices. »"No professionally paid soldier in the employ of the Defence Department or any other professionally paid member of Hi's .Majesty's Naval, Military, or Air Services can he, under any circumstances whatever, an officer of the league or any of its branches, and the same shall apply regarding any shareholder in any ammunition_ manufacturing company' and its officials. li Tke league shall not. under any circumstances whatever, interfere directly or , indirectly with any industrial disputes." | LEAGUE'S POLICY DEFINED. I _The specie objects of the league are S given as under : J "To maintain a White New Zealand; : to secure the immunity of the country from invasion: to educate the people of the country upon such measures of defence as may be considered necessary. In the attainment of these objects the league specifically lays it down as its policy that it is" not' desired to convert the manhood of this country into soldiers, but purely to ensure that every man who is capable of bearing arms is given sufficient military training to enable him to obey the highest duty of citizenship, by being_ able adequately to assist to protect his country should the occasion arise. In other words, the platform of the league sets forth that the New Zealander is a citizen, and only becomes a soldier when he is required for the de-< fence of his country. "In order to attain its objects the. league proposes to advocate—- " (1) The maintenance of an universal defensive training system. EMBODYING THE LESSONS OF THE AYAR. a " (2) As far as practicable, the embodiment of the lessons of the "late war in our universal defensive training system. " (3) The provision of sufficient guns, rifles, and equipment so that the New Zealand Citizen Army, on mobilisation for the defence of our> own shores, will be able to take the field fully equipped, and will have sufficient spares for replacement. " (4) The immediate consideration of providing machinery in this country for the adequate supply of shell and smaii arms ammunition; plants devoted to the manufacture t!rx- . plosives and ammunition to be Stateowned. * " (5) The strengthening of our coaxal defences so that- Zealand shall have at least two safe harbors for the. protection of its shipping. " (6)_ The making of special provision for the training of Territorial officers and n.c.os. A STRICTLY DEMOCRATIC FORCE. "(7) The acceptance of the principle that in future no one, except "in the case of the public interest, can become a commissioned officer of the Nov: Zealand Citizen Defence Forces unless he has served three years in the ranks. " (8) The removal of the control of the recruitment of Territorials, Senior Cadets, and of the Reserve from the Defence authorities, and placing it in tho hands of a Civil Department of the State. MORAL TRAINING AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT. " (9) The devotion of special attention to the moral training of the youth of this country, and their education in the ideals of good citizenship. ~ " (10) The strict suppression of all bad language in camps, making its use punishable as in civilian life. The league insists that this evil must "be put down with a strong hand, and demands that the Defence Department shall take practical steps to secure its eradication. " (11) The taking of every possible precaution to preserve the health oi boys while undergoing training in camp or elsewhere, with endeavors to improve the same under proper medical supervision; also educating trainees upon the observance of health principles during both civilian and military life. " (12) The employment of selected women to assist in cooking, ambulance work, and in all the institutes in camp where they can be profitably and suitably employed. "(13) The strengthening and encouragement of ritle clubs, sufficient assistance in regard to the supply 'of rifles aod ammunition particularly being given to induce members of . N.Z.E.F. to join rifle clubs of their own volition, and tlvis enhance the value of the Reserve Force of New "Zealand. " (14) Any legitimate means for > strengthening national defence." LEAGUE'S ORGANISATION. The constitution provides for the government of the league by a general council, and the establishment" of as many district councils and branches as it may be deemed desirable to form in the interests of the league. District councils.are to-be formed at Auckland, Hamilton, Napier, New Plymotith,' Wangamii, Palmeivsttai North, Wellington, Nelson, Blenheim, Christchurch, Timaru, Greymonth, Dunedin, and Irivercargiir. From the date of its institution each district council will have power to establish branches throughout their district, and to direct propaganda within their territory on behalf of the league. Provisional district councils upon which these powers have been conferred will be established at preliminary meetings in each of the 14 centres named. The annual subscription for membership of the .league has been fixed at 2e 6d, but a3 it is held that the national movement cannct be carried on without unavoidable heavy expenses., members who

havo its success at heart will be weed to contribute voluntarily to its funds and to otherwise assist in jt s work. The league propose to engage in a ger.eial educational campaign by means of numerous methods which are detailed in their constitution. .Tin's will ba mainly by the issue of literature, the holding of lectures, deputations to special bodies conand by arousing'tlw intelligent patriotism of the young. Another method proposed t* . .««By members of the- league manifesting a lively personal interest in Territorial and Senior Cadet units, and appearing themselves at parades from time to time; by advancing the £«T,ernl comfort and welfare of Territorials and Senior Cadet unit?: and encouraging parents,'relatives, and employers to do likewise. ' PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNCIL. The Provisional General Council, which will manage the affairs of the league for the year 1920-21, have been elected as follows:—.President. Major-general .Sir A. H. Russell, K.C.8.,-, K.C.M.G. • vicepresidents, Mr J. p. Firth and Mrs'M. H. L'hntfiekl; members—Lieutenant-colonel G. Mitchell. D.5.0., M.P., Lieutenant-colonel J. S. -i'-lhott, M.D., Lieutenants H. T. Marshall, M.C., and W.'Perrv, the Rev. G. Knowlee-Smith, Messrs J. "P. Luke C.M.G., M.P., H. F. Von Haast. T.Ward, and Mesdames J. P. Luke, K. Preston C. ilarle, and A. R Atkinson; hon. secretary, Mr Ernest E, Muir; hori! treasurer, Mr A. C. Bretherton; auditors--Messrs Watkins, Hull, a'!d Wheeler. The whole of the 'members of 'the General Council, whose miliary rank is given, aw returned soldiers who were civilians before the war, and have since resumed their civilian status. A policy statement will be issued by Major-general .RtisseH to-morrow explaining the reasons for the formation of tim league and its Various proposals.