N.Z. DEFENCE PLANS

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 January 1939, Page 4

N.Z. DEFENCE PLANS

INVERCARGILL RESOLUTION,

[PEB PBESS ASSOCIATION.]

INVERCARGILL, January 17

Tiie need for improved provision for home defence was emphasised at a meeting of the Invercargill City Council to-night, when it was decided to draw the attention of the Minister for Defence (Hon. F. Jones) to the necessity for provision for civil evacuation of all centres *in any emergency, and the establishment of properly trained alnd equipped mobile internal forces in each district, capable of resisting any attempt by an invading force to control the civil population.

On the motion of Mr E. J. McLachlan, the following resolution was carried:—

“While this council recognises that much has been done by the present Government to improve the defence of the Dominion, it appears that, apart from an increase in defences calculated to repel any invader, more adequate steps are required for the protection of the civil population. Therefore this council respectfully draws the attention of the Minister for Defence to the necessity of:

“(a) Provision for the civil evacuation of all centres in any emergency; “(b) The establishment of properly trained and equipped' mobile internal forces, situate in each district, capable of resisting any attempt by any invading force to control the civil population.

“To establish such forces, it is ne'cessary to make available in each centre more adequate supplies of small arms, machine-guns, and similar mobile defensive equipment, and to take more definite steps to ensure training in the use of such equipment of all men and youths of suitable age. Should sufficient recruits not be forthcoming as a means for their training and equipment are made available, this council asks that the Government introduce compulsory or national training.”