TERRITORIAL ASSOCIATION

Evening Star, Issue 23129, 1 December 1938, Page 20

TERRITORIAL ASSOCIATION

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE A meeting of the executive of the Territorial Association of Otago was held in the Caledonian Society’s rooms last evening. The president (Dr R. Fulton) was in the chair, and present were the mayor (Mr A. H. Allen), Messrs F. W. Mitchell, W. J. Perrett, J. M’Knight, J. M. White, L. A. Rhodes. H. P. Kidson. DEFENCE LEAGUE. The Chairman reported that a meeting had been held some time ago between representatives of the New Zealand Defence League and. the association. The league delegates claimed that the aims of that body were worthy of support, and asked’for the support of the association, while the representatives of the Territorial Association said that they also had their aims and had to keep faith with the members. A further meeting was to be held, and a report would be submitted later. _ Mr Mitchell asked if the question of compulsory training was the only matter of difference between them.

The Chairman said that it was, but the implications covered a wide field. If there had been no change in the aims of the league, compulsion was not what they could subscribe to. Several speakers expressed the view that, though compulsory military training might not be democratic, it might .be desirable under some circumstances. After further discussion the matter was dropped.

RECRUITING PROPOSALS

The Secretary said he understood that during the last month the resignations from the local units of the Territorial Army were greater than the enlistments, to the proportion of about 22 to 25. Several speakers expressed regret that this was the case, and suggestions were made for increasing the membership of the units. The value of each arm of the service having its own distinctive uniform was stressed, and it was stated by one member that a large part of the difficulty appeared to be the system or education. Speaking from his own experience, he said that there seemed to be no effort to instil in the children a realisation of their duty to their counit was decided that, as nothing could be done in the matter until after the Christmas holidays, any action be deferred in the meantime.