DANGERS OF WAR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22867, 23 October 1937, Page 12

DANGERS OF WAR

BLINDNESS OF PEOPLE WARNING BY OFFICER VALUE OF THE TERRITORIALS "The people of this country are almost wilfully blind to the dangers that exist to-day," stated Colonel It. Miles, officer commanding the Northern Command, when addressing members of the New Zealand Territorial Association at their annual meeting last night. It was perhaps moro vital today than at any time since 1914, ho said, for tho young me"n of New Zaland to fit themselves to meet an emergency, and it was the duty of tho public to wake up to the need for strong defences. Colonel Miles said that tho volunteer territorial system could not make the necessary progress without the support of the general public and of tho employers, who were asked to let men off not only for an annual camp, but also, if possible, for one week's instruction. The territorial association could do much to assist with the awakening of a real interest on tho part of tho public to tho country's defence scheme. For some time it had not been fashionable to take an interest in military affairs and perhaps an atmosphere of pacifism and peace by disarmament had permeated New Zealand more than other parts of the Empire. This had to be combated. Although no one desired peace to come to an end, it was essential that adequate preparations should be made to meet any contingency. To meet the contingencies which it was anticipated might affect New Zealand, it was necessary that at least a nucleus of highly-trained troops should bo constantly on hand. This was the system upon which the authorities were proceeding, because it would enable them in times of emergency to meet the situation more easily and rapidly. It was absolutely necessary, however, that the public should support tho authorities to the utmost. PROTECTING THE WEAK DUNEDIN SYNOD'S ATTITUDE [BY TKLKGItAFH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] DUNEDIN, Friday The Anglican Synod, after discussing military training, passed a resolution "That the Synod believes it to be according to tho mind of God for the nation to be sufficiently armed, and her manhood sufficiently trained, to defend herself and to protect weak from strong."