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Southland Times, Issue 24163, 27 June 1940, Page 4

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DEERSTALKERS OFFER SERVICES

VALUABLE ASSISTANCE IN EMERGENCY

The Southland members of the New Zealand Deerstalkers’ Association have decided to offer their services, their rifles and their equipment for the defence of New Zealand. At the annual social gathering which was held last night the following motion was passed: That this representative gathering of Southland deerstalkers, the majority of whom are not available for overseas service, offer themselves with their rifles and equipment to form a unit for home defence under

the control of Army Headquarters, The subject was raised by the Dominion president (Dr G. B. Orbell). There were about 1500 deerstalkers in Southland, said Dr Orbell, and probably from 6000 to 10,000 in New Zealand all of whom had rifles and could use them. If the deerstalkers were going to do anything as a body, it would be better to consider immediately what steps should be taken. While he did not think he should be pessimistic, he felt that consideration could profitably be given to such a proposal. Deerstalkers could be of considerable use in guerilla warfare as they were experienced in tracking through bush and hill country. Mr D. Mulvey said that every experienced deerstalker would be invaluable if the worst came to the worst. Deerstalkers could live off the land ’f necessary, and were accustomed to fending for themselves in hill and bush country. Mr W. D. Mcßae said that although most of the deerstalkers were over age for service overseas they could be of considerable assistance in an emergency. He suggested that the Government be informed that deerstalkers were capable of fighting under field conditions and were eager to assist in the defence measures.

The motion was moved by Mr Mu’ vey and passed unanimously.