SOUND DEFENCE

Marlborough Express, Volume LIIII, Issue 82, 8 April 1920, Page 3

SOUND DEFENCE

NATIONAL (LEAGUE FORMED,

WHITE NEW ZEALAND POLICY".

IMPORTANT NEW PROPOSALS

GENERAL RUSSELL, PRESIDENT

[FROM OUR CORHBBPONDENT.]

WELLINGTON, April 8

It is officially announced that at a well-attended meeting held in Wellington some days ago, it was decided to re-establish the National Defence League of New Zealand, which ceased to exist on the introduction of compulsory defensive training eight years ago, and to place the League on a permanent footing with a view to educating the people of the .country on the necessity for maintaining a sound system of defence.

OPPOSED TO AGGRiESSIVB MILITARISM.

The members of the League, who are civilians only, are strongly opposed to the introduction of any spirit of aggressive militarism in this country, and' as far a3 the League is concerned have specially provided against this in ' the supremacy of t the civilian with civilian ideas. ' On the other hand, particularly in view of recent events, they are strongly of opinion that Now Zealand cannot afford to slacken off in matters of defence, and that if the 'people of New Zealand are to maintain their privileges and ideals they must be prepared to defend them adequately should the occasion arise. NON-PARTY POLITICAL. The objects of * the League are plainly set out in the,, constitution I and rulss. In the constitution it is provided:— "The National. Defence League of New Zealand shall be non-party political, except insofar as it will oppose any political party which aims at the weakening of the National Defence Forces of New Zealand, would dispense with the compulsory training system, or-would in any way impair the efficiency of our Defence Forces. "No professionally paid soldier in the employ of the Defence Department or any other professionally paid member of His Majesty's Naval, Military, or Air Services can be, under any circumstances whatever, an officer of the League or any of its branches, and the same shall aPply regarding ' any shareholder in any ammunition manufacturing company and its officials. "The League shall not, under any circumstances . whatever, interfere directly or indirectly with any industrial disputes." LEAGUE'S POLICY DEFINED. Tho specific objects of the League are given as under:— "To maintain a White New Zealand; to secure the immunity of the country from invasion; to educate the people of the country upon such measures of defence as may be considered necessary. In the attainment of these objects the League specifically lays it down as- its policy that it is not desired to convert the manhood of this country into soldiers, but purely to ensure that every man who is capable of bearing arms is given sufficient military training to enable him to obey the highest duty nf citizenship by being able adequately to assist to profect his country should the occasion arise.' In other words, the platform of the League sets forth that the New Zealander is a citizen, and only becomes a soldier when he is required for the defence of his country.

"In order to attain its objects the League proposes to advocate—

"(1.) The maintenance of a universal

defensive training system

EMBODYING THE LESSONS OP

THE WAR. "(2.) As far as practicable, the embodiment of the lessons of the late war in our universal defensive training system. "(3.) The provision of sufficient guns, rifles, and equipment, so that the New Zealand Citizen Army, on mobilisation for the defence of our own shores, will l)e able to take the field fully

equipped,, and will have sufficient spares for replacement. "(4.) The immediate consideration of providing machinery in this ' country for thei adequate supply of shell and small arms ammunition; plants devoted to the manufacture of explosives and ammunition to be Stateowned. "(5.) The strengthening of our coastal defences so that New Zealand shall have at least two safe harbors for the protection of its shipping. "(6.) The making of special provision for the training of Territorial officers and n.c.os. A STRICTLY DEMOCRATIC FORCE. "(7.) The acceptance of the principle that in future no one, except in the case of the public interest, can become a commissioned officer of the New Zealand Citizen Defence Forces unless he has served three years in the ranks. ' "(8.) The removal of the control of the recruitment of Territorials, ' Senior Cadets, and of the Reserve from the Defence authorities, and placing it in the hands of a Civil Department of the State. MORAL TRAINING AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT. "(9.) The devotion of special atten- . tion to the moral training of the youth of this country, and their education in the ideals of good citizenship. "(10.) The strict suppression of all bad language in camps, making its use punishable as in civilian life. The League insists that this evil must be put down with a strong hand, and demands that the Defence Department shall take practical steps to secure its eradication. . "(11.) The taking of every possible precaution to preserve the health of boys while undergoing training in camp or elsewhere, with endeavors to improve the same under proper medical supervision; also educating trainees upon the observance of health principles during both civilian and military life.

"(12<.) The employment of selected women to assist in cooking, ambulance work, and in all the institutes in camp where they can be profitably and suitably employed. "(13.) The strengthening and encouragement of rifle clubs, sufficient assistance, in regard to the supply of rifles and ammunition particularly, being given to induce members of the N.Z.E.F. to join rifle clubs of their own volition, and thus i enhance the value of the I Reserve Force of New Zealand, i "(14.) Any legitimate' means for strengthening national defence." LEAGUE'S ORGANISATION. The constitution provides for the government of the League by a general, council, and the establishment of as many district councils and, branches as it may be deemed desirable to form in the interests of the League. District councils are to be formed at Auckland; Hamilton, Napier, New Plymouth, Wanganui, Palmerston North, Wellington, Nelson, Blenheim; Christchurch, Tiniaru, Greymouth, Dunedin, and Invercargill. From the date of its institution, each district council will have potver to establish branches throughout its district, and to direct propaganda within its territory on behalf of the League. Provisional district councils, upon which these powers have been conferred, will be established at preliminary meetings in each of the fourteen centres named. The annual subscription for membership,of the League has been fixed at 2s 6d, but as it is held that the national movement cannot be carried on without unavoidable heavy expenses, members who have its success at heart will be urged to contribute voluntarily to its funds and to otherwise assist in its work. The League proposes to engage in a general educatiorml campaign. This will be mainly by the issue of literature, the holding of lectures, deputations to special bodies concerned, and by arousing the intelligent patriotism of the young. Another method proposed is: "By members of the League manifesting a lively personal interest in Territorial and Senior Cadet units, and appearing themselves at parades from time to time; by advancing the general comfort and welfare of Territorial and Senior Cadet units, and encouraging parents, relatives, and employers to do likewise." PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNCIL. The Provisional General Council, which will manage the affairs of the League the year 1920-21, has been elected as follows:—President,.MajorGeneral Sir A. H. Russell, X.0.8., K.C.M.G.; vice-presidents,1 Mr J. P. Firth, Mrs M. H. Chatfield; members, Lieutenant-Colonel G. Mitchell, D.5.0., M.P., Lieut.-Colonel J. S. Elliott, M.D., Lieutenants H. T. Marshall, M.C., and W. Perry, the Rev. G. Knowles-S'mith, Messrs J. P. Luke, C.M.G., M.P., H. F. yon Haast, T. Ward, and Mesdames J. P. Luke, K. Preston, O. Earle, and A. R. Atkinson; hon. general secretary, Mr Ernest E. Muir; hon. treasurer, Mr A. C. Bretherton; auditors, Messrs Watkins, Hull, and Wheeler. The whole of the members of the general council, whose military rank is given, are returned soldiers who were civilians before the war, and have since resumed their civilian status. A policy statement will be issued by Major-General Russell to-morrow, explaining the reasons for the formation of tKe League and its various proposals.