Greater Response to Prime Minister’s Appeal Urged

Evening Star, Issue 23324, 21 July 1939, Page 7

Greater Response to Prime Minister’s Appeal Urged

PARTICIPATION IN COUNTRY'S PREPAREDNESS IS BOUNDEN DUTY OF EVERY YOUNG MAN OF HONOUR

Importance of Territorial Army iCjEW ZEALANDERS have been living in a world from which thoughts of war had been banished—-a world in which the need for defence against possible aggression seemed no longer to exist. This world we lived in in company with the peoples of other free lands. But democracies have rudely learned,'some at the cost of their national existence, what a dream world it was. Now we face stark and terrible facts. The civilisation that we thought rested on law rests on FORCE. Aggressors are on the march. Only arms in hands trained ‘to use them and a readiness to wield them with determination will give marauders, to,pause. Every individual of every democratic nation must stand resolved to play his role in maintaining the peace of the world—his peace! Bullies pick no quarrels with strong men.

THE EMPIRE NEEDS YOUNEW ZEALAND NEEDS YOU You Have Everything to Gain —Nothing to Lose Speaking directly to young men. The appeal is for the defence of democratic principles, and as this is a democratic country you are not being coerced into bearing arms. But privileges-have their price. The .Territorial Army offers you a means of paying—without'paying .too dearly. Some of you may regard this service as something to be avoided for reasons of your own. However good, they cannot be compatible with your sound civic sense. Others of you may regard territorial service as a recognised but irksome responsibility. That is', the wrong spirit and out of harmony with your natural characteristics. You can achieve greatly, for yourself and for the oilier fellows of your generation, if you volunteer and bring with you an intent to enjoy your service, to extract from it the maximum of the personal benefits it makes available. For most of us, territorial training needs that mental attitude. You will be surprised how well it all works out. This is written by one who has had just that experience.

Admitted that in these highly-com-petitive times you are a very busy young man. Your sporting activities are essential to your physical and mental well-being. Your studies are indispensable to your life’s success. But, however busy you are, the small services you will bo called upon to render can be fitted in without dislocation of vour social calendar. The very busiest of you may find some small sacrifice necessary, but it will be negligible when weighed against the fruit it bears. This is all you are asked to do: To give an honourable undertaking lo serve a minimum period of three years in homo defence, after which period you may obtain an honourable discharge if you so desire. Voluntarily to attend evening parades of one and a-half hours duration (one a week) for about 40 weeks of the year. This is called out-of-camp training and such parades are usually followed by social and recreational activities in which you may join as you please. You probably will, for there is a most congenial spirit in Ibis' volunteer force of “ men of spirit.’’ During the summer a number of

week-end camps are held ; in out-of-town localities. Free rations , and transport are .provided and interesting field work is carried out. The annual camp- "in the summer time is a real week’s holiday. Out-of-doors work all the time; good fun, plenty of good food, entertainment, and, above all, splendid comradeship. There, are no out-of-pocket expenses. In annual camp the New Zealand private soldier receives 'l2s a day., He is the highest paid volunteer in the world. Even your fares to and from parades are paid. Blue and khaki uniforms and equipment are provided down to your boots. Many of your officers and non-com missioned officers have seen overseas service. All have risen from the ranks. You will find them likeable, keen, and competent to instruct you. Promotion to non-commissioned and commissioned rank is available to those keen enough to undertake the extra study. That’s all that you are asked to do. It’s much less than dictators demand or that the Government of Great Britain requires of its youth. And -that is a compliment to you., _ ,

THE CALL The easy life is no more, says ‘ The Children’s Newspaper.’ We must defend ourselves against every challenge. Everyone must be at his post. We shall, not fail. ’ It is not-heroism in the face of death and -dismay that the call to Britain has -come for, hut for something simpler, yet as brave. It is for the quiet courage that prepares - to meet danger when it comes, and, fully knowing what may betide, fits itself calmly and patiently to meet the worst and hope tor the.best. That is what this country asks of its men; and it is a call that in every other land is-mak-ing itself plainly ■ heard. No man any more can take everything the world gives him and give the world nothing back. If it gives him peace he must put all his strength at his country’s service to keep it. A DEFINITE NEED The need for, British possessions -in Hie Pacific being'able to provide-at least a- measure of their own protection is crystallised in a statement made ■ in 1930 by Admiral, Sir Richard Webb, a former president of the Naval War College. He wrote: “'To Imagine that-we are going to uncover the heart of the Empire and' send 1 our Fleet' thousands of miles into the' Pacific, with only one base, Singapore, for - our. supplies and damaged ■ ships,- is to write us down -as something more than fools. Anyway, the -British-public -would- never tolerate it.”.