DEFENCE OF NEW ZEALAND

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 14 April 1939, Page 3

DEFENCE OF NEW ZEALAND

APPEAL FOR RECRUITS OPINIONS OF AUCKLAND BUSINESS MEN < United Press Association) AUCKLAND, 13th April. Though the appeal made by the mayor, Sir Ernest Davis, for the enlistment of 1000 volunteers to bring the Territorial Army in Auckland up to normal peacetime strength will receive the wholehearted supported of business men, it was learnt to-day that there are some who fear that it will not be accomplished till some measure of compulsion is introduced. “I think it should be incumbent on business people to make this thing possible,” said one leading business man. "The mayor has our co-operation,” and "We are behind the campaign” were other expressions of opinion. Some buesiness firms in Auckland, it was explained, were already doing their utmost to encourage the Territorial movement. Facilities were granted for members of their staffs to attend camps, their wages being made up to the amount normally received in their usual employment. They received their annual leave as usual. Some of the business men interviewed considered that though the scheme in itself was admirable, it did not go far enough. They feared that it would take a wave of patriotism throughout the Dominion to bring forth volunteers in sufficient numbers. Most young men of to-day, they thought, were simply not interested as affairs stood at present. They would respond as well as their fathers had done in the past when a call to arms came, but so far the dangers of the international situation had not yet been sufficiently

brought home to them. It was one thing to get volunteers, it was pointed out, but it was another thing to hold them. Under the existing system a man could join up with the Territorial Army and if he did not like the look of his uniform he could leave.