EMPIRE DEFENCE AND LABOUR

Southland Times, Issue 23512, 19 May 1938, Page 6

EMPIRE DEFENCE AND LABOUR

Party Criticized By Mr Polson ATTITUDE TO SANCTIONS ON ITALY (United Press Association) NEW PLYMOUTH, May 18. Strong criticism of the Labour Government’s attitude towards Empire Defence was expressed by Mr W. J. Polson, M.P., in an address at Korito. The Labour Party, Mr Polson said, through its leaders, and particularly the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) and the Minister of Finance (the Hon. W. Nash) had recently been noticeably making professions of loyalty to the Throne and acclaiming the heroes of Anzac with fervour and enthusiasm. It was pleasant reading, but the Labour Party’s members had not always been so loyal or so enthusiastic. and in view of the attitude of Mr W. J. Jordan, the High Commissioner, at Geneva under instructions from his Government the people might be forgiven for doubting their sincerity today. Mr Jordan had strongly disagreed with the policy of the British Government in seeking a settlement with Italy that would prevent war and, make for better international conditions. , ~ _ . They had the spectacle, said Mr Polson, of the smallest Dominion, which was spending a paltry 2 or 3 per cent, of its taxation on defence, not only criticizing Britain, which was spending 50 per cent, of her taxation for a similar purpose, but actually harassing and humiliating her in the Council of the nations. The Labour Party had already made it clear that it "would not assist with a single soldier if Britain was drawn into any war over Abyssinia and was, in effect, demanding that Britain should risk a quarrel with Italy. Probably Labour realized that the public was not aware of its action in Parliament in 1935, when the Economic Sanctions Bill was passed. Before the last New Zealand Government went out of office that Bill, passed by the Empire Parliaments at the request of Geneva, had been turned into a military sanctions Bill by the Labour Party. Before it would give its support the Labour GovernI ment had insisted on a clause providing that in imposing sanctions on Italy no person in New Zealand should be required to serve in New Zealand or overseas as a member of any military, naval or air force, and no person should be trained for any such service. So Mr Jordan at Geneva, knowing that New Zealand, through the attitude of his own Government while in opposition, had stated definitely that she would not help if it came to war, yet demanded of Britain that she should take a course calculated to lead to war. Mr Polson read a telegram from the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes in support of his assertion that Clause 3 was included to meet the Labour objection that the power under the Economic Sanctions Bill might be used to compel service in military forces either in New Zealand or overseas.

Actions spoke louder than words, said Mr Polson, and the fact that the New Zealand defence forces were being turned into a farce was known to every volunteer. Only the other day they had read the assertion of a representative of the New Zealand Defence League that the defence force was down to a disorganized, halftrained 4000 men. The Labour Party could put the ostrich in the shade when it came to ignoring responsibilities which did not suit its peculiar opinions, but it could hardly camouflage these facts. APPEAL TO EMPLOYERS TO CO-OPERATE y PROVISION OF LEAVE FOR STAFFS i (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, May 18. An appeal to members of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce not only to grant to members of their staffs who were territorials the necessary leave to undergo training, particularly for the annual six days’ camp, but also to make-up the difference between their army pay and the pay from their business has been made by the president, Mr Arnold Ley. He points out that the aim to establish in the Territorial Force by voluntary enlistment 9000 trained officers, non-commissioned officers and men to maintain the security of New Zealand was dependent on the backing of the community, as well as the spirit of service of the lit and keen men who joined up. At present the force was 1500 men below the establishment and the most serious aspect was that an average of only 50 per cent, of those serving attended the annual camps this year. To effect an improvement required the co-operation of all employers. The Government, the biggest employer in New Zealand, had given the business community a definite lead in the matter by generous special leave and pay facilities.