lust Not Be Blind To World Menace

Northern Advocate, 19 July 1949, Page 3

lust Not Be Blind To World Menace

INVERCARGILL. Tue. (P.A.t—"l am not one of those who believe war is either inevitable or imminent, but we tire only fooling ourselves if we think the peace of the world in the present circumstances is assured. The danger will recede only as we show ourselves willing and able to resist whatever aggressor threatens outpeace." said the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Holland) in an address last night on the question of compulsory military training question. There was a comparatively small audience.

The following motion was carried on the voices without dissent: “That wc pledge ourselves to vote for compulsory military training at the referendum on August 3." "I am anxious about the referendum issue because it is of overwhelming importantnee that wc should not fail our country,” Mr Holland said.

VITAL TO PEACE

"The provision of adequate means of defence is not only vital to our own country but also to the peace of the world." Mr Holland went on to say the defence of the country was above party politics. The Opposition differed from the Government in many things, but in this matter it was wholeheartedly behind tire Government.

It was right and proper that all political parties should come together at the call for the defence of the Empire and help the Government in every way to prepare for the defence of the country.

"We must be realists and not wishful thinkers." Mr Holland said. "We must view things as they are, not as we would like them to be. "We must not be blind to what is going on in the world tday. "The menace is not a bogey."

Apathy May

Kill Scheme'

AUCKLAND, Tue. (Sp.>.- Apathy might kill the scheme for compulsory military training, and this would be a disaster for New Zealand, said Brigadier J. G. C. Whiles, at a meeting called by the Auckland Returned Services Association to discuss the coming referendum. Representatives of some 40 organisations were present.

"The situation is desperate." said Brigadier Wales.

"Wc have been leaning on Britain too long. "It is our duty to carry that referendum and that can be done only if every person goes to the polls."

Colonel L. F. Rudd said Britain and the Commonwealth must have behind them some force to enable them to stand up at the United Nations and elsewhere to certain adversaries. The volunteer system had been tried and found wanting. Major-General H. E. Barrowclough said that .no military expert had condemned the scheme as far as New Zealand was concet net*.

A regular army of only 10,000 men would cost a great deal more than the proposed citizen force. A representative of the Ex-naval Men's Association said that while the Navy preferred the volunteer system for that service, he beliveed that if speakers would address his organisation. its members would support compulsory military training.

“Miss Howard's totals are quite inaccurate," said the chairman of the Auckland Hospital Board (Mr J. Grierson) yesterday, referring to a statement made by the Minister of Health last week on the number of nurses employed by the board. Miss Howard said there had been 1317 in 1939-40 and 1703 in 1048. Mr Grierson said the correct totals were 550 in 1939-40 and 1189 now. Miss Howard’s, statement was misleading and difficult to understand, because the board's annual reports were at her disposal in Wellington.