ATTITUDE TAKEN BY STUDENTS

Southland Times, Issue 23839, 9 June 1939, Page 6

ATTITUDE TAKEN BY STUDENTS

Proposal To Form Defence Unit EVERY FACILITY TO BE AVAILABLE COMMITTEE FORMED TO ENCOURAGE ENLISTMENT (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, June 8. A representative meeting was held at the Auckland University College to discuss the students’ attitude towards territorial training and to consider the formation of a defence unit at the college. There was an attendance of approximately 50 students, presided over by Mr B. C. P. Hutchinson. Several members of the staff also attended, including Professor Sewell, chairman of the Professorial Board, and Mr L. O. Desborough, registrar of the college. The initiative in the matter was being taken by the students themselves, Mr Hutchinson explained, but the meeting had the support of official circles. He had received a letter from Mr H. Cocker, president of the college council, expressing the opinion that since the matter was one for individual conscience, it would be best for the Students to work out their own solution without interference or influence from officials. Every possible facility would be made available to the students in their efforts to form a unit. After a motion that a defence unit be formed had been passed, Mr Hutchinson explained that he and his fellow convener, Mr A. O. Woodhouse, represented no official body and could exert no compulsion on the students whatever. In his opinion, it was a reflection on the youth of the country that many of the men who recently volunteered for territorial service should have been rejected because they were over age. Something should be done to remedy the position. OVERSEAS SERVICE Mr Hutchinson pointed out that under the present system nobody who had not volunteered for overseas service could be forced to serve away from New Zealand. It would not be possible for a unit to be other than an infantry one. said Colonel McD. Weir, Officer Commanding the Northern Military District. To form a complete company, 135 volunteers would be required, while a minimum of 40 would be required to form a platoon. Officers would be drawn, if a full company were formed, from members of the staff, students or graduates, according to the amount of military training and experience each had. Mr H. R. Rodwell, a member of the staff, held the rank of captain on reserve and would take command if a company was formed. Mr Hutchinson reported that there were sufficient commissioned men within the college to officer, a company. It is expected that some members of the staff will join the unit. It was decided to form a committee, representative of all faculties and the Teachers’ Training College, to encourage enlistment, and the college office is to be opened as an enlistment bureau. Unless 50 enlistments are received the project will not be carried, on.