POLITICS AND DEFENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23828, 7 June 1939, Page 7

POLITICS AND DEFENCE

FORMATION OF GROUP UNITS OPPOSITION TO PROPOSAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EXERCISED ■;■;. (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 6. Rigid opposition to a recent suggestion that territorial units should be formed and completely officered by certain political groups, on the ground that it =was wrong to allow any political group to he organised and armed as a complete unit was suggested to the council of the Wel4 lington Chamber of Commerce at its meeting to-night in a recommendation -tfrom the board of the Wellington" Junior Chamber of Commerce. ',

Agreement with the Junior Chamber's view was expressed, and it was decided to bring the question to the notice of the Associated Chambers of Commerce of New Zealand.

A Trade Union Company

The president (Captain S. Holm) read from a press report of April 29 a statement that Mr W. J. Lyon; M.P., was to act in an advisory capacity to the Defence Committee of the Auckland Council of the New Zealand Federation of Labour. The report said the proposed conditions of service were:- 1 - •

1. That-a company of 200 men between the ages of: 19 and 35 be offered to the Minister of Defence as a complete unit in the Auckland Battalion.

2. That the company be enlisted from bona members of trade unions, and that it be officered by trade unionists specially trained within six months of establishment.

In the report referred to by Captain Holm, Mr Lyon said the idea was to test out the scheme in Auckland, and if it proved successful it could be extended to other parts of the Dominion.

Thin End of Wedge

" I think the Junior Chamber is right," Captain Holm said. " Would it be right to have also farmers;and solicitors' companies? " The chairman' of the Junior Board (Mr L. M. Enting) referred to": the position which had developed in some overseas countries where sections had been allowed to arm. "Though at. present in New Zealand we are not faced'with any. problem of that nature, the Junior Chamber considers that this possibly would be the thin end of the wedge," Mr Enting said. "We feel that this council should give the matter attention in case an undesirable state of affairs should come about." Captain Holm: Is there any action you wish taken about this? A Dangerous Principle Mr,F. Wilson: I think the Junior Chamber should be commended for bringing the matter to the Chamber's notice; I think it should go on to the Associated Chambers. Captain Holm: The Associated Chambers would be the body to take it up. Mr M. G. C. McCaul: It is a national matter. *'; Mr'S* Cory-Wright: It does seem to me that it is>a mistake for part of the defence forces to berecruited from sectional interests. It is inviting trouble for the future. I consider that the principle is- wrong, and dangerously wrong. The question was referred to the Associated Chambers. *