BE PREPARED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 30 January 1939, Page 6

BE PREPARED

A CALL TO WOMEN AND MEN TO-MORROW NIGHT’S DEFENCE LEAGUE MEETING “If first things come first and selfpreservation is the first law of nature, then our people here in Nelson have reason to examine the present sitation,” said a member of the New Zealand Defence League to-day. “Even the most casual observer of international events must realise that the world is in a crisis of ever-increas-ing danger to weakly defended nations, however peaceable. “Sir Gerald Campbell, British High Commissioner in Canada, has just dei dared ‘That the world is about to throw another fit’ and urges us all to show a united front in order to avert hostilities. Lord Strabolgi, a naval officer and one of our great British leaders, said recently in Christchurch, ‘New Zealand certainly has need to worry about a possible aggressor, who makes no secret that her aim is world domination.’ These are serious warnings.

“The call is urgent, almost overdue, for the whole of the people in New Zeaj land, women and men. to realise our j position and to face up to practical means of defence, even at the sacrifice of jsome of our leisure and sport. The call J is to all, none are too young or too old, too rich or too poor to be equally affected if an attempt, and it is possible, is made to conquer our beautiful country and wrest its control out of our hands.

“That prospect is appalling, but the danger is real, unless effective steps are taken by us in New Zealand to put such a fate safely beyond the region of reasonable possibility. “Briefly this safety can be obtained by the immediate organisation and instruction of our population in duties of defence that would be forced on us, if invaded: This adoption of measures that would give a reasonable guarantee of safety would not be expensive, or disorganise our economic life or press unduly on any individual. All would share the burden.

“The New Zealand Defence League are a large body of our citizens who j realise these vital points, essential, un- ; der certain conditions, to our continued existence as a nation.- Their objective [ is to assist to put New Zealand into a strong state of defence, which in itself will almost certainly keep an aggressor from an attempt on the country. “It is realised that modern aggressive war as practised barbarously to-day aims at the total destruction of the morale of the victim. Tanks, machines and aircraft are not sufficient defence, as shown in the fighting in Spain and China, but armaments must be backed by a vigoorus nationhood armed with confidence and ready to make sacrifices —in our case, as a precaution and a prevention, a sacrifice only of submitting to preparation for defence and to the discipline of bodies and minds. “Such a preparatory sacrifice may keep war from us, but if not, having done all that is humanly possible to save ourselves, we would call on God for help, and fight for freedom with a clear conscience.

“If trained our splendid New Zealand manhood and womanhood would effectively deal with any invader. This is British tradition well sustained by New Zealand tradition during the Great War. Surely we have not fallen from this standard, which after all is only maintaining our right to live in our own way.

“We ask you to come to the meeting in the School of Music on Tuesday evening, 31st January. His Worship, the Mayor, will be. in the chair and speakers will be the Hon. William Perry, M.L.C., President of the League, and Mr Eric Reeves, the Dominion Organiser.

“A clear idea of the situation will be given and the objects of the League, and the courses open to us to assist the Government in putting the country into a state of maximum defensive efficiency.

“The policy of the Government is to defend the country. Let us strengthen that policy by declaring a national appreciation of our danger and a national willingness for personal service. That is the object of the League. We urge you to attend the meeting in the School of Music on Tuesday next, women and men of all ages, who regard the safety of New Zealand and the honour of her people as a sacred trust worthy of sacrifice.”