Defence Measures In New Zealand

Northern Advocate, 17 March 1948, Page 4

Defence Measures In New Zealand

In view of the critical stage through which the world is passing today, calling upon nations who value liberty to put their houses in order while there remains time to do so, there is strong reason why defence measures urged by the New Zealand Returned Services Association, the Air Force Association and the Homesarvicemen’s Association should be given practical endorsement by the Government.

The executives of the associations are offering the Government their strongest support in the most drastic action it may take for the defence of New Zealand.

In the first place it is urged that there should immediately be established compulsory universal military training for men from, say, the age of 18 years, such training to continue for a period sufficient to establish a reasonable standard of training.

To that end it is proposed that there should be established adequate army, naval and air force training organisations, while men over the age group decided upon for military

training, and women auxiliaries, should be accepted for voluntary service in support of the objectives mentioned.

While it ’is devoutly to be hoped that the need fbr calling upon the young men of the country to go on active service may never arise, it would be most unwise on the part of New Zealand not to train its young men in readiness for any emergency.

To await an emergency of known character before making preparations to meet it is arrant folly, and especially is this the case so far as defence is concerned: hence the need for a form of training which would enable soldiers, sailors and airmen to become fully acquainted with what is involved in the most modern implements and techniques of warfare. an end towards which any system of military training should be devoted.

Compulsory military training should be on a universal basis in order that, from the outset, the task of preparing for tire defence of this country should be distributed fairly over the eligible population.