AIMS OF DEFENCE LEAGUE

Southland Times, Issue 23774, 23 March 1939, Page 12

AIMS OF DEFENCE LEAGUE

Compulsory Training Advocated SUB-BRANCH FORMED AT WOODLANDS The objects of the New Zealand Defence League were explained last night at a meeting at Woodlands convened by the Southland branch of the le ?gu e . The speakers were Mr F. G. HallJones and Mr B. W. Hewat, who were given an enthusiastic reception, .there was an attendance of about 70 persons. Mr W. Eell was chairman. Mr Hewat outlined the aims of the league as follows: — (1) A minimum of three _ months compulsory, continuous recruit training by all youths on attaining the age of 18 years. . . , , (2) Thereafter continuity of compulsory training for a period of four years in the Territorial Army or such numbers of men as are necessary for the adequate defence of the Dominion. (3) The restoration of the old territorial units which existed before 1921 by the immediate utilization of the compulsory trainees as indicated in the previous paragraph. (4) The principle of equality of economic sacrifice in war-time. (5) That the defence of Australia and New Zealand be looked on as one and indivisible and the league urges that plans for joint and mutual defence be the subject of consultation between the general staffs of the two countries. (6) The establishment of a national register of both sexes with the obligation on the part of those registered to give such service to the country as may be most convenient to their ability and the requirements of the situation. (7) Approval of legislation designed to improve physical welfare. ADEQUATE FORCE

The objects of the league were directed towards the creation of an adequate defence force in New Zealand, Mr Hewat said. If they valued their liberties they should be prepared to defend them. He thought that the backbone of any force was the infantry. By that he did not mean that they should disregard the advancement of science. . ... The old distinction between civilian and solider was disappearing, if it had not done so already, said Mr Hewat. In time of war everyone would be called upon to give . service to the country. , , , It might be said that the talk of war was “alarmist” and that it was fantastic to think of New Zealand being invaded. It was advisable to look back and see what had been happening since the Great War. They did not look back with pride on the dispossessions made by the Treaty of Versailles. Another development immediately after the war was the creation of the League of Nations. Britain pinned her faith in peace on the League. However, it had been made apparent that the world was not ready for the League of Nations. The first serious break from the League occurred in 1931, when Japan invaded Manchvkuo. The League remained passive and although some members advocated a boycott nothing was done. It was human inclination to avoid trouble a long way from home. When Abyssinia was invaded by Italy there was another appeal for the League to act, but the same diffidence was shown. DISTURBANCES IN EUROPE “In 1936 came the outbreak of the Spanish revolution, which started purely as an internal quarrel,” said Mr Hewat. “Another disturbance in 1936 was the German occupation of the Rhineland. Germany, under the leadership of Herr Hitler, virtually annexed Austria and in 1937 Japan moved in on China. Then in September 1938 came the major crisis when the world was on the brink of war, which was averted by a conference of the leaders of four great Powers in Munich. It appears that Mr Neville Chamberlain acted as he considered best for the preservation of peace. He may have made concessions in the hope that Germany would be satisfied and that they could look forward to a period of peace. This hope has now been completely dissolved. The position has been reached where the democracies are forced to recognize that the scheme being developed by the ‘have-not’ nations is going to strike at their position. In 1931 when the first serious break came Britain, though still a great nation, was not armed so that it could give the proper strength to its voice at the council table.”

“The position now is very different from what it was when the Great War broke out,” stated Mr Hall-Jones, in opening his address. Now the position was reversed, in that Japan could be regarded as an enemy. When he attended primary school the boys in the fourth standard went through a course of shooting at the butts. That was not done now and he had been told that in one high school it was ordered that no rifles should be used in training the cadets. Comparing the attitude of youths in 1914 and at the present time, Mr HallJones said that at the time of the Great War the youths took training as a matter of course. Nobody objected to training, which was carried on in such countries as Switzerland and Holland. Today they had to remember that the young men had been brought up on the pacifist propaganda in primary schools some years ago. Everything was being done to increase the number of trained men, but without success. “In 1914 our isolation was our defence,” remarked Mr Hall-Jones. The idea of an attack on New Zealand while Britain was undisputed mistress >f the seas was considered fantastic at that time. In 1914 Britain had a naval supremacy over her enemies of two to one, but that supremacy had now disappeared. At the present time there were 2000 less British merchantmen and Britain was no longer undisputed mistress of the seas. The danger of

aerial attack was a momentous one, because Britain was more vulnerable from the air than the other countries. In the last war Italy and Japan were on their side, but now they must be regarded as enemies. If war came Britain would be fighting for her very existence.

The members of the Defence League were not militarists and they had the same longing for peace as the most profound pacifist, Mr Hall-Jones said. But rather than lose their country they would fight for it. The league was seeking to arouse the public to the necessity of preparing for attack. They must be ready at all times to repel an invader. The greater the preparation the less likelihood there was of raids on New Zealand. Only by creating a public demand for home defence measures could they expect the Government to act. For that purpose they wanted to form sub-branches throughout Southland. The National Party and the Labour Party were petty things compared with the alternative of Britain or Japan. If this movement spread over the country and resolutions were passed drawing the attention of the Government to the necessity of home defence training, the Government would probably act. “In 1914 we had 28,000 men in training,” Mr Hall-Jones said. “Three years before there were only 15,000 men in training and the voluntary system was abolished because it was deemed a failure. Now we have only 2000 men in training and this number includes bandsmen and medical corps.” Mr W. R. Harris, secretary of the organizing committee of the Southland branch, also spoke. A motion was carried thanking the speakers for their addresses and a resolution that those present support the aims and objects of the league was carried. It was decided to form a Woodlands sub-branch and those present were elected a committee. The following officers were also elected: Chairman, Mr W. Bell; vice-chairman, Mr G. Stevenson; secretary, Mr J. Pye; treasurer, Mr H. G. Piercy.

LOYALTY OF NEW ZEALAND “NEVER BEEN ANY DOUBT” (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, March 22. New Zealand’s loyalty to Britain and the Empire was reiterated by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, when asked to comment on the international situation. “New Zealand will be found wherever Britain is when Britain is in trouble. There has never been any doubt about New Zealand’s loyalty,” he said. In an interview with The Standard, the Labour newspaper, Mr Savage says 'it is the desire of the New Zealand Government that immediate action should be taken by the British Government to call a conference of the peaceloving nations of the world in an endeavour to remove the causes of war. He states that combined action is essential to settle economic differences which are among the primary causes of war, and says it is perfectly in order for New Zealand to make such a suggestion to the British Government.

BRITAIN’S PACIFIC POSSESSIONS REPRESENTATIVES FOR CONFERENCE (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, March 22. The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, states that arrangements have been completed for the opening of the Pacific conference in Wellington on Friday, March 31. His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom will be represented by its High Commissioner in New Zealand, Sir Harry Batterbee, the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, Sir Harry Luke, Vice-Admiral Sir Ragnar Colvin, Major-General P. J. Mackesy and Air Marshal Sir Arthur- Longmore. His Majesty’s Government in the Commonwealth nf Australia will be represented by Vice-Admiral Sir Ragnar Colvin, who will represent Australia as well as the United Kingdom, Colonel V. A. R. Sturdee and Wing Commander G. Jones. The New Zealand Government will be represented by members of the Council of Defence and, in addition, by the Minister and the Secretary for Industries and Commerce, the Controller of Civil Aviation and such othter officials as the circumstances may require.