NATIONAL DEFENCE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 161, 9 June 1939, Page 6

NATIONAL DEFENCE.

AUCKLAND STUDENTS AIEET. ENLISTMENT ENCOURAG ED. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, June 8. A representative meeting was Hold at the Auckland University College to discuss the students’ attitude toward territorial training and to consider the formation of a defence unit at the college. There was an attendance ol approximately fifty students presided over by Air G. P. Hutchinson. Several members of the staff also attended, including Professor Sewell (chairman of the Professorial Board) and Air L. O. Derborough (registrar of the college). The initiative in the matter was being taken Tiy the students themselves, Mr Hutchinson explained, but the meeting had the support of official circles. He had received a letter irom Air H. Cocker (president of the college council) expressing the opinion that since the matter was one lor the inj dividual conscience it would be best ' for the students to work out their own solution without interference or in-' fluence ffom the officials. Every possible facility would ho made available to the students in their efforts to lorm a unit. Alter a motion that a defence unit be formed had been passed, Air Hutchinson explained that he and his fellow convener (Mr A. O. Woodhouse) represented no official body and could exert no compulsion on the students whatever, in his opinion it was a reflection on tho youth ol the country that many of tho men who recently volunteered for territorial service should have been rejected because they were over age. Something should he done to remedy the position. Mr Hutchinson pointed out that under tho present system nobody who had not voluntoed lor overseas service could he forced to servo away from Now Zealand. Jt would not bo possible for the unit to he other than an infantry one, advised Colonel AlcD. Weir, officer commanding tiio Northern Aliiitary t). strict. To form a complete company 13,) volunteers would bo required while a minimum of 40 would he required to form a platoon. Officers would bo drawn if a full company were formed irom members of the staff, students, or graduates according to the amount ot military training and experience each liad. Air H. R. Llodwell, a member ot the staff, held the rank of captain on the reserve and would take command if a company was formed. Air Hutchinson reported that there were sufficient commissioned men within the college to officer the company. It is anticipated that some members ot the staff will join the unit. It was decided to form a committee representative of all faculties and tho Teachers’ Training College to encourage enlistment. Unless 50 enlistments are received the project will not l>e furthered. OFFICERS OFFER SERVICES. AVILD LIFE BRANCH. l’er Press Association. WELLINGTON, June 8. Seventeen field officers and tour members of the head office staff ot the wild life branch ol the Department of Internal Affairs, together with the Ministerial head of the department (Hon. \V. E. Parry), calleu on the Prime Alinister to-day to offer him their services for the defence of New Zealand. The field officers, who have been attending an official conierenee in Wellington, are engaged in deer destruction work in the wish and mountain ranges of the Dominion. In accepting the offer, Mr Savage expressed keen appreciation of the men’s action. He also thanked on behalf of the Government the other 6000 men who had already enrolled in the National Aliiitary Reserve and appealed to others who had not already enrolled to do so without delay.