NATIONAL EFFORT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23661, 21 May 1940, Page 9

NATIONAL EFFORT

UNIVERSAL SERVICE REQUEST by citizens WAR COUNCIL WANTED «the HOUR BUT NO MAN" „ ifl ie urgent need for a national register, universal national servico, a war council, and the immediate internment of all enemy aliens in tho Dominion were emphasised at a meeting of over 300 people held in tho Chamber of Commerce Hall last night. The convener and chairman was Mr. B. 11. Kingston, and those present included a large number of returned soldiers, some from outlying districts, farmers, city business men and other representative citizens. Four resolutions were carried unanimously amid applause. They were as follows:—' Four Resolutions "That this meeting of loyal New Zealanders endorses the resolution which has been unanimously adopted by tho returned soldiers' associations throughout Now Zealand, urging the immediato introduction of a national register and universal national service, and pledges itself to support the Government to the utmost in giving effect to this policy." "Thi3 meeting urges the immediato establishment of a war council to direct and co-ordinate our war effort, under the chairmanship of a strong and driving personality." "This ncn-political meeting demands that the Government immediately interns all enemy aliens at present in New Zealand, and prevents the immigration of more." The fourth resolution established a national service committee of 50 members, with power to add, to further a national Service scheme. " Barbarian at the Gate " "When affairs have reached the critical position of tho barbarian being at the very gate, it is time for shaking hands with your political adversary so that we may shake our fists together at the invader," said Mr. Kingston, in a brief address, in which he empha-sised-the'need of the ordinary people for a lead in meeting the situation. He said that the present was no time for party politics, but was one that demanded united and immediate effort. There was a large number of speakers from among the audience. Sir. L. A. Tozer, of Mount Eden, said that a returned soldiers' organisation to which ho belonged proposed to send circulars to every local body and incorporated society, asking them to write to the local member of Parliament drawing attention to public dissatisfaction with the Dominion's war effort. He claimed that among so-called refugees were many spies. If the Prime Minister of Britain were conducting New Zealand's war effort he woujd intern them all. Military Service Compulsory military service was advocated l?v several speakers. It was said that the Government had merely called •upon a few public-spirited volunteers, to save its own face. "When I think of this country and see how little is being done, I think we should change our national emblem," said Mr. J. Littlejohn, of Birkenhead. "We have a kiwi, but it should be an ostrich, with its head buried in the sand." Mr. Littlejohn referred to the remarks of the Prime Minister in his broadcast on Sunday night, and to his reference to the achievement of watersidcrs who worked at a recent weekend. "I would like to remind him that soldiers' in France also worked that week-end,'' he said. A Voice: And with no overtime, either. ' Need of a Leader "It has been said that the hour produces the man," Mr. Littlejohn added. "The hour is here all right, but where is the man?'.' A representative of a no-party organisation also spoke, and the meeting, after passing the resolutions, closed with the singing of the National Anthem, and 30 seconds' silence as a tribute tc men now fighting. It was announced by the chairman that, with a view to furthering the objects of the organisation, a public meeting would be held.