DEFENCE APATHY

Evening Star, Issue 23146, 21 December 1938, Page 17

DEFENCE APATHY

APPEAL BY LEAGUE PRESIDENT PEACE SACRIFICE BETTER THAN MASSACRE [Peb United Pbess Association.] WELLINGTON, December 20. In an appeal to employers to encourage their employees to attend camps, the Hon. W. Perry, M.L.C., president of the New Zealand Defence League, says: “ Another Christmas is almost upon us, and the world is racked with anxiety for the future. In a statement to the House of Commons on October 3, reporting on the Munich agreement, Mr Neville Chamberlain said : ‘ Let no one think, however, that because of the agreement at Munich Britain can alford to call a halt to the great programme of rearmament which is daily increasing in pace and volume. The British people must renew their determination to build up the deficiencies remaining in their defensive precautions.’ Since. then prominent statesmen in Britain have strongly emphasised the necessity of strengthening the defence force of all arms, and the question of universal national service is rapidly becoming a very live issue. Since 1936 the New. Zealand Defence League has been endeavouring to create a public opinion in New Zealand in favour of adequate defence forces. It has emphasised in plain terms the dangers which confront us in the not distant future. Tho people have been and still are apathetic. “ After the crisis in September one would have expected an influx of members to the league and a rush of recruits to the Territorial forces. Neither of these things happened. Despite the crisis and despite the commendable efforts ;of the Army Department, the Territorial forces are still below establishment. . “ The league, therefore, is forced to the conclusion that the best means of achieving its objects is to advocate the adaption of a form of compulsory military training beginning 110111 . three months’ continuous recruit training by all youths over tho age of 18 and followed bv four years’ training in the Territorials, and also by the establishment of a national register of the whole population in readiness for an emergency. The need for trained men is urgent and grave. The British Commonwealth of Nations may bo fighting for its existence within the next six months. We shall then find that what is needed, in war. is. soldiers, not recruits, and what is also needed is a civilian population prepared and trained to defend itself at home. “Let it not be thought, however, that, because it advocates compulsion, the league is opposed to the voluntary system. Its only concern is to get trained men in time, so that, if war should come, it will he a war and not a massacre. It matters not whether the men are obtained by a voluntary system or by compulsion so long as they are obtained. Until such time as compulsion is introduced, the league exhorts all employers to encourage their employees who are eligible for service to ioin the Territorial forces. Hm vital part of tho Territorial annual training comes in the next three months, when the annual camps will be held. If the 8,500 joung men who are carrying out a' public duty‘by serving in the Territorial Units are to be reasonably efficient, they must be gi\cn every opportunity to attend the annual camp of their unit. Let the suggestion that the employees should attend the camps come from the employers themselves. Let the. young men respond to the suggestion. Let them realise that by so doing .they are performing their duty to their country am improving themselves mentally and States are making sacrifices m time ot peace which tve should almost hesitate to make in time 0 war If our people who enjoy such a high standard of livhg are not prepared to make sacrifices in time of pence so as to he prepared for war when it comes, they may one day be bitterly disillusioned.