To Demonstrate N.Z. National Defence Work

Northern Advocate, 3 April 1941, Page 2

To Demonstrate N.Z. National Defence Work

CPer Press Association. Copyright .)

WELLINGTON, This Day,

An announcement that the Government and the War Cabinet had approved the holding of national defence demonstrations in the main centres of tlie Dominion shortly was made by the Minister for National Service (Mr Semple), addressing a general parade of the Wellington Women’s War Service Auxiliary last evening. The idea, Mr Semple said, was to demonstrate to the people of the Dominion what was being done to prepare to defend the country if the necessity arose.

N.Z.-Made Material

The parades would include military equipment, including 25-ton N.Z.-made tanks. The first would be held in Wellington on April 19, when ft was expected that more than 10,000 people would take part. Others would be held in Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin and possibly other centres later. “We are living in a restless, dangerous world,” said Mr. Semple, “where changes are taking place so rapidly that we do not know when our turn may come. It would be worse than stupid if we did not make the necessary arrangements to offer some resistance in case of invasion.

Alert To Dangers,

“We are threatened with invasion; ft may or may not come. If it does come and we are not prepared, then our country is gone and those liberties we cherish are gone. We want to show the people of this country that we are alert to the dangers that surround us and that we are making the necessary preparations to defend these islands.”

Mr. Semple congratulated the Women’s War Service auxiliary on the work it was doing, and said he was thrilled with the number of girls who had paraded. Uniforms would be provided for more than 400 girls taking part in the parade.