PEACE AND WAR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22141, 21 June 1935, Page 14

PEACE AND WAR

KETURNET) MEN'S VIEWS need for defence PRESENT INADEQUACY URGED [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Thursday When motions bearing on peace, war and the establishment of defence forces in New Zealand came before the annual conference of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association to-day a keen debate ensued, centring mostly on an attempt bv the Christchnrch delegation to persuade the conference that it should not discuss the subject without first obtaining the opinions of individual members of affiliated associations through a ballot. The only division that took plaC'O in a series of votes on subjects under the heading of defence went by a majority of 113 to 29 in favour of those who had supported armament. A motion drawing attention to the inadequacy of the present defence measures was passed. The adoption of the following Duncdin remit was carried after efforts to delete the second and third paragraphs had failed: " J hat this council sincerely appreciates the efforts of the Governments of the Mother Country and of New Zealand to secure world peace and prays for continued labours in this direction. It considers, however, that the unsettled conditions prevailing throughout the world are such that the attention of the Government of New Zealand should bo drawn to the inadequacy of the present defensive measures. The council, e\er mindful of the enormous sacrifice in human life during the Great War consequent on unpreparedness, further deems it its duty to urge upon the Government the vital necessity of bringing our sea, land and air forces to a state commensurate with our responsibilities both to New Zealand and to the Empire.

"Further, and arising out of experience during the Great War, the council respectfully suggests that greater attention be paid to the training of leaders, both officers and non-commis-sioned officers, being firmly convinced that from such training nothing but good will accrue to the country, either in peace or war. "Finally, the council considers that in the event of war the whole of the country's economic resources should be mobilised as well as its man power, and would bring to the notice of the Government the necessity for the immediate preparation of such plan." Other remits bearing on defence which were adopted were that in the interest of world peace and security for the nation and the Empire the council freely gives its utmost support to the League of Nations; and that the Government be asked to ascertain the cost of maintaining a permanent force as compared with the present cost of unemployed relief, especially as the maintenance of the force would create increased employment in various industries.