Fraser Opens Campaign For Affirmative Vote

Northern Advocate, 19 July 1949, Page 3

Fraser Opens Campaign For Affirmative Vote

HASTINGS, Tue. (P.A.). —“If the anti-democratic nations would cease to be a threat, if they would not plan and practise aggression with satellite nations and individuals throughout the world, we would have no quarrel,” said the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) when he opened his speaking tour in favour of an affirmative vote in the compulsory military training referendum at a meeting in Hastings last night. A parade of nearly 200 ex-servicemen marched to the Municipal Theatre to swell the crowd there to nearly 700.

"The menace of war is not as threatening today as it was nine months ago." Mr Fraser said. •'Then it looked as though a cloudburst not only of antagonism but of active aggression was imminent. "If Britain and the United States had not made a stand at Berlin, the anti-democratic nations would have swept to the North Sea." It was only sheer necessity. Mr Frcser added, which had caused the United Kingdom to pursue a policy of compulsory military training since the war.

If war came extermination faced democracy. Democracy was in danger of being submerged and trampled underfoot end dictatorship arising. Democratic nations did nol want war, but in their desire to avoid bloodshed they were not shutting their eyes to the need for being prepared. “We would be neglecting our Bounden duty if we did not see the dangers and prepare to meet them,' said Mr Fraser.

"Essentials are the defence of this country, defence of the Commonwealth, and to realise our responsibilities to seek a world police force." The Prime Minster said the Government had been forced to the conclusion that the nation could not build up in three or four years by the voluntary system the size of force it required.

In the face of that it was better to go for something that would not be doomed to failure from the start.

There were people in trades unions and trades councils who had been misled.

Tt. was wrong that any trades union or trades council should be associated in any anti-conscription propaganda because they were associating with people who would destroy 'his country.

Opposition By 2nd NZEF Association

AUCKLAND. Tue. (Sp.L—"The association has always opposed and will continue to oppose, half measures in defence." said Mr K. H. Melvin, Dominion president of the 2nd NZEF Association, last night.

He was addressing the Auckland branch. “The association is against conscription in peacetime, but if a state of emergency should arise the association would be wholly behind the Government in implementing a system of compulsory selective service. Selective service was defined by the speaker as meaning the conscription of the whole of the Dominion's resources of manpower, materials and wealth for employment to the best advantage in defence of the Dominion and other parts of the Commonwealth. ' He thought the regular forces should be manned to full establishment.

Will Not Prophesy

AUCKLAND. Tue. <Sp:>—“T envisage a strong possibility of war with Russia in 15 years,” said Major-General H. E. Barrowclough, when he addressed members of the Auckland Business and Professional Women's Club last night.

“However, it is not part of any soldier's duty to pose as a prophet and I will not prophesy that we shall be at war with Russia in 15 years.” lie added. He said invasion by Russia of New Zealand was almost unthinkable, solely because the Dominion would not be worth the trouble. New Zealand's defence would be in terms of the defence of the Northern Hemisphere and not of the Dominion.