WANGANUI R.S.A. AND CONDITION OF DEFENCE EQUIPMENT

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 March 1948, Page 8

WANGANUI R.S.A. AND CONDITION OF DEFENCE EQUIPMENT

(P.A.) WANGANUI, March 12. The statement of Mr W. F. Leckie, president of the Southland R.S.A., that the defence position of New Zealand is not an bad as the Wanganui branch made out, was referred to today by Mr C, N, Armstrong, who moved the resolution dealing with defence nt the quarterly meeting of the Wanganui U.S.A, on Wednesday night. “It is disappointing,” said Mr Armstrong, “that, on such a grave question as national defence Mr Leckie should have voiced his personal opinion ns president of the Invercargill R.S.A. without consulting his executive. There is no doubt that returned men from World War II would again answer a call in any national crisis, but it is appalling to think that men who have borne the burden of six years of war should be first called upon.” “If war comes we must be ready, not in a month, but immediately, for in modern times nations will not give notice of their intentions,” said Mr Armstrong. “If we have sufficient trained men, have we the necessary equipment? Is the country satisfied that we have a sufficient number of aeroplanes, naval cra+t, tanks, weapons and ammunition? We have not had any Ministerial announcement to that effect.”

Mr Armstrong said he could quite understand the Government. not wishing—for security reasons—to discuss defence matters in public. If an asurance could be given to the New Zealand R.S.A. that would be desirable, he said. “We are entitled to demand that urgent consideration be given to the question.”