DEFENCE PROGRAMME

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22617, 21 April 1948, Page 5

DEFENCE PROGRAMME

PROTEST AT INADEQUACY WAIKATO R.S.A. CRITICAL (P.A.) HAMILTON, April 20. Expressing the opinion that had the returned services’ organisations throughout the Empire been listened to in the early 1930’s there would have been no Dunkirk, Greece, Crete, Tobruk or Singapore, members of the Waikato executive of the R.S.A. when discussing the recently announced Government defence programme carried the following motion unanimously: 1 “This executive voices a strong protest to the Government, through the Dominion executive—“(a) At the inadequacy of the recently announced defence programme to contribute to the strength of the British Empire now at a time in our history when it has never been more imperative for the peace and security of the world for the British Empire to be militarily strong and prepared. “(b) That we urge the Dominion executive to continue to press for a much more realistic, commonsense defence programme, including compulsory universal military training immediately that will recognise ana counter the dangers that are apparent in the world today. “(c) That the executive communicates immediately with Mrs. G. H. Ross, M.P., Hamilton, Mr. A. C. Baxter, M.P., Raglan, Mr. G. F. Sim, M.P., Waikato, Mr A. S. Sutherland, M.P.,. Hauraki, and Mr. W. S. Goosman, M.P., Piako, emphasising the concern of the association at the apparent lack of appreciation by the Government of the dangers of being caught militarily unprepared for a third time, and urging the members as the Parliamentary representatives of this district to press for a defence programme more in keeping with the international situation today and which will prevent the flower of this nation’s manhood being massacred without a chance, as had occurred twice already within a quarter of a century."