RURAL MILITIA

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20281, 24 June 1940, Page 5

RURAL MILITIA

REJECTED BY MINISTER FARMERS NOT SATISFIED APPEAL FOR MORE ACTION “Having due regard to the stale of attack possible against New Zealand. I have to inform you that the plans and training programme now in hand are adequate to meet any possible hostile action." This reply has been received from the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, by. the Auckland Provincial Farmers' Union to its recent suggestion that the formation of a rural militia force should be considered. The Minister added that the plans included garrisons necessary for the immediate opposition of any possible enemy landing, as well as strong and well-equipped mobile formations in the best strategic locations. If at any time it was considered necessary to increase the size of any of the forces provided for. that would be done, but any such expansion for obvious rea- j sons would have to be carried outj within the framework of the armed: forces proper.

“The executive of the union considers that our situation is far too serious for it to accept the Minister's reply as final, and strongly urges that the whole question be considered again immediately and action taken." stales a letter sent this week to the Prime Minister, the Hon. P. Fraser, by the provincial secretary of the union. Mr. A. E. Robinson.

“If anything is certain in this war it is that tne unexpected, and indeed the apparently impossible, will happen, and no one can measure what possible hostile action we may have to meet,” the letter continues. ‘‘The executive considers it is essential at present that every step to organise man-power for defence should be taken. Members of the union are urgent that they should be given some chance lo be organised for resistance, and it is agreed any such force must be under army discipline and control."