LEGION OF FRONTIERSMEN.

Evening Star, Issue 22595, 12 March 1937, Page 6

LEGION OF FRONTIERSMEN.

TO TEE EDITOR.

Sir, —No doubt your correspondent “ J.E.S.” thinks that his reply is sufficient to silence me. In so far as it treats a very serious discussion in a light vein, it does not deserve reply, but I think that a statement of the real objection to such a body as the Legion of Frontiersmen should come in. Much as some of us may be amused, or exasperated, by the constant mention by apologists for the Frontiersmen of medals and “ glorious trad|tions of sacrifice,” the danger is not in these things. A correspondent in the ‘ Evening Star ’ puts the matter in a nutshell when he mentions the Legion’s dangerous possibilities against the workers. If your readers will look up the files of the 1 Evening Star ’ for March 21, 1931, they will find an article dealing with, 'and presumably supplied by, that body, since it gives particulars of the past and future activities of the Legion. In that article we read: 11 One of the main aims of a legionary is to keep himself fit and ready for any emergency. In short, frontiersmen are ready to step into the breach and do anything required of them by those in authority.” If your correspondent “A. M'Comish ” fears the uses to which the Legion may be put by those in authority the foregoing statement makes it certain that the fear is more than well founded. In a leaflet issued by the Legion of Frontiersmen, and also published in a North Island paper on Thursday, June 24, 1920, we read that the legionaircs give a “ pledge to active service anywhere and any time at the Empire call . . . a legion fully armed and fully equipped, which can spring forth at a moment’s notice to serve at the Empire’s call. It is our pride that .. . at any time the Legion of Frontiersmen can provide specialists of every type necessary for military requirements ... fighting men. We have pledged ourselves to active service any time and anywhere.” With a body like this in our midst whose activities are aided by the present Labour Government, and whose real reason for existence seems to be readiness to quell internal troubles, all citizens will do well to protest against the continued existence of the Legion of Frontiers, men. The Government elected by the people can attend to all matters relating to the defence of the country. There is no need for a body with such an “ open cheque” pledge to remain in existence. There are legitimate military bodies which military-minded men can join if it is the defence of the country they are concerned with, and they can indulge their parade and medal complex to their heart’s content. But a semi-mitilary body which voluntarily offers its services without reserve “ any time, and anywhere ” is a thine which should make men of all political opinions who love liberty much afraid and active in its suppression.— 1 am, etc., ’ Advance. p.S.—Might I suggest that readers drop a lino of protest to the Minister of Defence straight away? March 12.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—-Now that the question as to whether the Legion of Frontiersmen actively served during the war has been definitely settled) jn the affirmative, Mr M'Comish would have us believe that it is there for just_ one purpose—namely, to act as strike breakers, etc. Well! Well! Can .this prophet tell us of any occasion 'when the legion served in that capacity P Think back .well over 20 years, my friend. The legion is a non-political body in existence for just one big reason—i.e., to: do anything it can to help keep the. old Union Jack flying—but, like the uniform, I suppose that’s wrong also.—l am, etc., British. March 12.