President Of R.S.A. Advocates Conscription In N.Z.

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 October 1948, Page 8

President Of R.S.A. Advocates Conscription In N.Z.

(P.A.) INVERCARGILL, October 14. "The only way we can have a proper defence system in New Zealand is to have it manned by compulsory service and I think when I say that I am expressing the opinion of at least 90 per cent.of members of the R.5.A.,” said the president of the New Zealand Returned Services Association (Sir Howard Kippenberger) , replying to the toast of the association at the annual reunion of the Invercargill R.S.A. "Changes are taking place in the world and I think they are more than the aftermath of the war,” he said. “Greater than those that took place after World War 1. “There is a very great menace in the world today. It is the menace with a purpose and intent and it threatens everything we have Avon, not only in two world wars but throughout the centuries in blood, sweat ,and tears. -It may be that the only way we can preserve the things which we think are worth preserving will be by -going to war again. We can do something in this country, and already a great deal has been done to build up the' services, but we still lack the necessary tough young New Zealanders to man the service.

"We can get them only by compulsory service. It is no use talking of a voluntary scheme. “I do not think I have heard any ’more disgraceful argument than that advanced by the 2nd N.Z.E.F. Association that compulsory service is not necessary because there is already the nucleus of a defence force in the country in the men who fought in World War 11. That means that these men who have already served their country in war should bear the first brunt of a new war.

“In my opinion New Zealand cannot raise an adequate force without compulsory service and I have .made no bones‘about putting that point of view before the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) and the leader of the Opposition (Mr S. G. Holland). I hope that when the Prime Minister returns in a month or two the matter will be settled.” Opposed By Canterbury Trades Council (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. -4. The Canterbury Trades Council is opposed to the conscription of manpower for military training or service in time of peace. The following resolution was carried at a meeting of the council this evening:—“That immediate representations be made to the national executive of the Federation of Labour for.-the calling of a special national conference immediately to discuss and decide the question of conscription and war.” The secretary of the council, Mr A. B. Grant, said the council was opposed to conscription on working class, democratic, and moral grounds. “The council considers that contemporary history proves that armed preparedness does not stop war,” the statement adds. “The council, as a body of workers’ delegates, reserves the right to define its attitude to any possible war which may eventuate. If and when open warfare breaks out, we reserve the right, as thinking people, to consider whether or not we would favour conscription, and this can only be done when we know against whom, and what, we are fighting. ’ ’ „