Ex-servicemen Call For Defence Policy

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 March 1948, Page 3

Ex-servicemen Call For Defence Policy

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, March 16. “The N.Z.R.S.A., the New Zealand Ail' Force Association, and the New Zealand Home Servicemen’s Association are completely' united, in view of the present* chaotic situation in world affairs, in offering to the Government the strongest support in the most drastic action that it may take for the defence of New Zealand. The problem of national defence has been frequently' considered by the Dominion executive committee of all these three exservicemen’s associations in recent months, and a full statement was prepared and published some months ago.

“The executives of these associations feel that a decision can no longer be safely postponed. They call on the Government to announce its policy, and to take prompt action to put it into effect. These associations, therefore, pledge their strongest support to the Government if it is prepared to implement the following basic formula: — “(1) That the Government immediately establish compulsory universal military service for young men, from (say) the age of 18 years for a-period sufficient to establish a reasonable standard of efficiency. “(2) This will necessitate the establishment of adequate naval, army, and air force training organisations. Trainees, when called up, to be permitted, as far as possible, to volunteer for the service and the arm of that service in which they desire to serve. “(3) That compulsory service include all men mentally and physically capable of some type of service. “(4) That men over the age group decided upon for compulsory training, and women auxiliaries, be accepted for voluntary service in support of the objectives set out above. “ “(5) That the implementation of the provisions outlined in this resolution for the defence of New Zealand be treated as a matter of the greatest urgency.” The foregoing resolution has been adopted on behalf of the organisations named.