Referendum For One Purpose Only

Northern Advocate, 21 July 1949, Page 4

Referendum For One Purpose Only

AUCKLAND. 'l’lm. (P.A.).--A G-W* menl. on military Training was made by Ihc Prime Alkiister (Mr Fraser) be* fore leaving Auckland yesterday. ‘'Some opponents of compulsory military training," he said, “are endeavouring to deceive the people by staling Hint this referendum is pa it and parcel of a scheme for manpower direct ion. "'.Chat is a deliberate misrepresentation. “The referendum simply concerns whether there shall lie compulsory military training for our young meet when they reach the age of 11! years “The proposal is that they carry out India! fulltime (raining of i t weeks in camp during the lirsl, year and thereafter 11 days in camp and sis: days out of camp training in each <>( Hie three succeeding years. “No draft legislation lias been considered £»y the Government or by myself and if (lie proposal for military

training is carried, there is no intention of following the referendum with legislation to deal with any other matter than the service required by young men attaining the age ol lo years, and provision for their being posted to the reserve after their period of training.

-No legislation is proposed ha dealing with manpower direction''

No Heckling At Hamilton

HAMILTON. Thu. <SpA.—Continuing his campaign in support of the introduction of compulsory military service. the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) addressed an audience of about 1000 people in,the Theatre Royal last night. He spoke for three-quarters of an hour without, one interruption Rom the body of the hall.

Supporting Mr !* laser were Airs Ci. H. Ross, M.P. for Hamilton, Mr B. E. Woodhams, past president ol the Hamilton RSA. Mr E. P. Tirikatonc, M.P. for Southern Maori, and Mr A. L*. Tompkins. All were given an attentive hearing and were applauded at the end of their address. A motion from the body ol the nail that the meeting was in complete agreement with the introduction of compulsory military training was greeted with applause, when a show of hands was called for by the Mayor of Hamilton (Mr H. D. Caro), who presided. He declared the motion carried with only six dissentients. Air Fraser said in an interview after the meeting that he had not on any previous occasion addressed a better audience than the one which listened to his address.

It. was a happy augury tor the success of the proposal which was to be placed before the people.

F.F. In Support-

AUCKLAND, Thu. (Sp.).—The Auckland executive of the Federated Farmers is in agreement with the policy of compulsory military training, according to a statement issued yesterday bv Mr G. M. Rodger, provincial secrc-

A recent* meeting of tae Auckland executive had passed a resolution to this effect, said Mr Rodger. The resolution would be sent to the Dominion executive for national endorsement.

Independent Maori Candidate's Views

Opposition to compulsory military training was expressed by Mr Mahuiua Otenc, an Independent, candidate for the Northern Maori electorate at the corning general election, when interviewed in Whangaroi yesterday. Mr Otenc said he was in favour of military training, but not of conscription. Mr Otene said lie fought in the 1914-13 war. His policy would not be fettered by party polities if he were elected to the House of Representatives.

Mr Otene resides at Okaihau and will open his election campaign there.

RSA Whole-Heartedly Supports Affirmative

KAITAIA, Thu. (Sp.)—At a _ wellattended quarterly general meeting of the Mangonui County FSA last night. Hie following resolution was carried unanimously:

"That this association wholeheartedly approves of the principle of compulsory military training, and pledges its full support to ensure affirmative decision at the forthcoming referendum.'’