DISRUPTIVE MOTION

Grey River Argus, 8 February 1940, Page 8

DISRUPTIVE MOTION

Small Countv Council SWALLOWS DEFENCE LEAGUE PILL. DU? EDIN, February 6. “This Council respectfully suggests that New Zealand follow the example of the senior member of the British Commonwealth of Nations (Canada), and hold an early general election to be fought upon the issue of the war legislation, including conscription.” This was the text of a motion carried at a meeting of the Bruce County Council to-day.

A second motion was also carried expressing whole-hearted approval of the principle of compulsory national service. These topics were brought up by receipt of a letter from; the New Zealand Defence League asking the Council to voice an opinion on the issue of national compulsory service “whereby all citizens may be allotted the tasks to which they are best suited, whether as combatants or otherwise.”

It was the League’s intention, the letter stated, to place its findings before Cabinet, to impress it that the people were behind the ideal. The Government was fighting for democracy—that was for the rights of the people, said Cr. Moore, who moved the motion. “I don’t imagine that .much notice will be taken of us,” he added, but I move it in the hope that the snowball will grow.”