Voluntary System of Recruiting Opposed

Franklin Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 21, 23 February 1940, Page 4

Voluntary System of Recruiting Opposed

CONSCRIPTION FAVOURED DEFENCE LEAGUE SUPPORTED pukekohe council's view A decision to support the New Zealand Defence League in its efforts to induce the Government to introduce a scheme of universal compulsory national service, was reached at Wednesday’s meeting of the Pukekohe Borough Council.

The question arose- when a letter was read from'the League. Jl was derided to advise the League of the council's opinion and to write to the Prime Minister, the HI. Hon. M. .1. Savage, sirongly urging Ili d conscript ion he introduced.

The .Mayor, Mr John Routly, said the Government had set itself, for the I !fne being, on the voluntary system and lie believed it was engaged on a difficult task. It was calling for volunteers hard. The Piime Minister and the Minister of Justice (MiMason) were whistling the same tune for all they were worth. The voluntary system would continue until the Government came up against Ihe dead heads when doubtless it would lake smie action to gel 1 lie men required.

Mr G. T. Parvin said it was in Ihe interests of ihe taxpayer that conscription be introduced. He pointed oul that two-thirds of the men who went, overseas with the First Echelon were married: consequently the Dominion was compelled to find additional money to maintain the dependents of the men who - had gone to uphold the traditions of the Empire. Viewing the tiling from a commonsense point of view Ihere was no alternative but to bring in conscription and it was time the people as a whole took a stand and i;i ged the Government to act.

“Democracy is al stake." said Mr Parvin. "Men of oilier years did their hit to save civilisation while some are still prepared lo iill the (mcii where others laid i! down . . . Some young men. unfortunately, are willing to stay at home and hang round the dance halls and picture shows when they should he doing their duty. They wall know all about it if Ihe Empire goes under. It is time the Government introduced conscription —Hie sooner the. better for all concerned," said Mr Parvin. A motion moved by Mr Parvin, lliai. s, letter he sen) lo the Prime Minister slating “that the Pukekohe Borough Council is of opinion that the voluntary system of recruiting is wrong in principle and that on an occasion such as this conscription should lie introduced.” The motion was seconded by Air R. Higgle amp carried unanimously.