EX-SERVICEMEN MEET

Taranaki Daily News, 6 June 1930, Page 10

EX-SERVICEMEN MEET

MILITARY SYSTEM DISCUSSED.

PRESENT TRAINING SUPPORTED. '

The annual meeting of the Stratford Ex-Servicemen’s League was held last night, Mr. J. B. Hine presiding over a good attendance. - The report and the balance-sheet, previously published, were adopted. It was explained by the chairman that the- money collected from the sale of poppies would be retained in Stratford for the relief of necessitous cases.

Officers elected were: President, Mr. L. H. Jardine; vice-president, Mr. T. L. Gibbs; executive, Messrs. R. R. Knewstubb, T., Richardson, J. W. McMillan, W. J. Davies, N. Corkill, M. Urquhart, S. Macalister, C. Marchant, J. H. Kirkby and J. B. Hine; hon. auditor, Mr. G. A. Carter; hon. secretary, Mr. L. E. Lyons. The executive was empowered to affiliate with the R.S.A. should such a course be deemed advisable.

On behalf of Mr. S. Macalister, who was unable to be present, the chairman moved: “That this league urges the Government not to agree to the abolition of the territorial defence scheme until some suitable scheme of land defence is devised to take its place and an opportunity provided for consideration'and criticism of the proposed new scheme by experienced soldiers.”

It had- been suggested that the present defence scheme should be curtailed on account of expense, ' said ' Mr. Hine, but the -executive felt that the system should not be interfered with until satisfactory substitution was evolved. Mr. J. W. McMillan seconded.

An ame'ndment that the present system of territorial training be not interfered with in any way was moved by Mr. M. Urquhart and seconded by Mr. J. -Stavely. “That amendment, will open up a discussion -.that will not be - pleasant to a-number of those present,” isaid Mr. J. W. McMillan. The amendment as it was worded would promote a discussion for and against the present system with which all were not in • agreement. It was not desirable to open a discussion that might prove unpleasant, . he thought. The motion did not condemn the present system. As the Government. appeared to favour a simplification. of the system in vogue on the plea of economy Mr. E. D. Evans favoured the motion, which permitted the. advent of,a more economical system without doing, away with all compulsory training. . “I think we should cut 'out both motion and; amendment,” said Mr. W. Hew-, att. 1/ie question was a political one with which it was not the business of the league to interfere. It was not a purely political question and was one that did concern the league, said Mr. F. Oljiver. The amendment was carried by ’lB votes to 10. ■

PERSONAL ITEMS. Mr. R. F. Malfroy, manager of the Bank of New South Wales, Stratford, left yesterday for' Hastings on relieving, duty. In his absence Mr. H. Henderson, Wellington, will act as manager at Stratford. Mies Bemiett, formerly matron of the Stratford Hospital, who is now resident of Durban/ South Africa, left for the south yesterday after a visit to Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Budge. Mr. and Mrs. Rod Mcßae, who formerly resided in Inglewood, have purchased a home on the corner of Pembroke and Brecon Roads, Stratford.