DEFENCE FORCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23340, 8 May 1939, Page 13

DEFENCE FORCE

RECENT CRITICISM PRIME MINISTER'S COMMENT PROPOSED ARMY OF FREE MEN [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION*] WELLINGTON", Saturday "Tho attitude of a section of the press toward the Government's defence policy is beneath contempt," said the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, to-day, in referring to recent deprecatory reports on defence measures.

"Everything is being turned into political propaganda," he said. "The most recent and glaring instance of the depths to which some newspapers can descend in attempts to discredit the Government is to be found in the Press Association • message from Dunedin which gave tho Government credit for trying to enrol and clothe 50,000 territorials, and which tried by that means to give the impression that the Government was out to militarise New Zealand at a cost that would be unbearable. .

"I resented that and tried to convey a picture of an army of free men, including territorials, who would, when called upon, be prepared to take up arms in New Zealand for the defence of New Zealand.

"My reference to goosestepping certainly could not be applied to our own territorials or any other troops in the British Commonwealth for that matter, where such methods are foreign to the British spirit."

EX-SOLDIERS' PART

NEED FOR ORGANISATION SCHEME BEFORE AUTHORITIES [by telegraph—own- correspondent] WELLINGTON, Saturday The potential value of the younger returned soldiers in Now Zealand in anv scheme for home defence has been referred to fairly frequently during recent weeks, and the concern felt by returned soldiers because some definite scheme has not been put forward is summed up in a letter received by the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association from a member. The writer expresses the opinion that organisation is essential and that the men who served over 20 years ago should be given an opportunity to "brush up" the use of weapons.

The Dominion secretary of the association said it was gratifying to have such an expression of opinion from a man whore views probably coincided with those of the rank nnd file of returned soldiers, because the association had a scheme which had been placed before the authorities. The executive of the association was anxious to give all possible help in home defence and it appeared certain that the majority of returned soldiers fit for service would come forward if needed. SUBSIDIARY ORGANISATION PROPOSAL AT ONEHUNGA The enrolment of all men-and women in the district who aro willing to servo in the defence of New Zealand was decided upon by the Onehunga and District Returned Soldiers' Association at a general meeting. It is intended that the enrolments should be tabulated and made available to the Defence Department or the controlling authority when occasion arises. Men enrolling should be over the age for enlistment in the territorial forces.