DEFENCE LEAGUE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21185, 4 November 1938, Page 8

DEFENCE LEAGUE

Branch Formed in Timaru Public Meeting Suggested Activities The formation of a Timaru branch of the New Zealand Defence League was decided on at a public meeting last night when the Mayor (Mr W. G. Tweedy), presided over an attendance of about 40. In addition there were a number of apologies, and at the end of the meeting there were 35 financial members. The branch decided to cooperate with the Government in defence measures. The League was a non-political body that had as its object the permanent increase of the defencj forces to a strength considered adequate to meet the position created by the state of the world to-day, said the Mayor, who read the constitution of the League and briefly outlined its objects. Mr F. F. Neale asked if the defence authorities were behind the League. When the Mayor replied that he did not know, Mr Neale said that as a rule the authorities were conservative and disliked interference. What form of activities would the local branch undertake outside of the enlistment of members? asked Mr J. H. Sinclair-Thomson. Various matters had been suggested for consideration, others were provided by the constitution and others could be discussed by the committee, if one was formed, replied the Maj'or. Mr Eric Reeves, the League’s organiser, who would shortly pay a visit to Timaru, would discuss the different activities of the branch with the committee and with members. Mr S. F. Hanson asked if the feeling of those supporting the League was that more assistance should be forthcoming to strengthen the defences of the Dominion. “I think so,” said the Mayor and added that there appeared to be a feeling that the voluntary system had not been given the support that was necessary, and that a good deal could be done in that direction. Attitude to Voluntary System Many young men had not taken the voluntary system as seriously as they might have done, said Mr Hanson. They seemed to think they could come in and go out whenever they pleased. Major G. R. Lee said that as much discipline was imposed as was allowed and officers had no power to compel discipline. “They should be given that power,” said Mr Hanson. Mr R. McD. Brown pointed out that when the system was a voluntary one It was impcssible to Impose discipline, as the word was understood. Mr G. J. Walker, president of the South Canterbury Retu-ned Soldiers’ Association, in supporting the principles of the League, said that the returned soldiers approved of its principles. He moved that a branch of the Defence League be formed at Timaru. Inducement to Volunteers Mr W. Figgins seconded the motion, and expressed the opinion that yomig men should be given as much inducement to join the territorial forces as could be given. One inducement he would suggest was the abolition of the unemployment tax per annum. New Zealand was the only part of the British Empire where such a poll tax had to be paid. “As if wc are a lot of niggers.” He also suggested that a free pass should be given every year to volunteers to travel on holiday to any part of the Dominion. Negative Motion Mr F. Hilton moved that no branch should be formed at Timaru, the Mayor refusing the motion as it was a direct negative to the proposal. Mr Hilton said the League was sponsored by a man named Robertson who, he claimed, was a Fascist. Mr D. Murchison raid he was quite satisfied that the League was sponsored by responsible men. General Sir Andrew Russell had presided over the meeting of senior officers who had approved of the League’s principles. The Mayor said that he was not concerned whether the branch was formed or not. It had definite merit, and he was prepared to give ais support if a branch was formed. The motion was carried. Officers elected were: President, V. L. M. Inglis; secretary, Mr J. H. Sinclair-Thomson; treasurer, Mr S. Rodgers; committee, Messrs A. N. Oakey, J. Walker, H. W. Washbourn, F. Neale, T. Owers and S. F. Hanson, with power to increase the number to 12 after the visit of the organiser. It was recommended to the committee that the remaining additions to be made should not be returned soldiers, but preferably should be young men. Necessity for Recruiting The greatest task placed on the territorial force was inducing men to offer services, said Major G. R. Lee. Once the services were offered it was not difficult, but it was difficult to interest young men in the initial stages. Any organisation having the defence issue at heart should concentrate on recruiting. He also stressed the necessity of gaining and maintaining public support. Remuneration ot young men was attractive, but it was difficult to induce young men to make a start. Insufficient encouragement was given volunteers, it had been stated, said Mr Neale. In the old days he had attended five nights out of six with no inducement whatever. The difference was the selfishness of the young man to-day, compared with the old days. Officers should not have to spend three parts of their time inducing young men to join. It should be an honour for young men to belong to the territorials. Employers’ Part Major Lee moved that sub-commit-tees be formed by the committee to encourage recruiting and to request employers to offer to release men for training camps. It was suggested by a member that young men should be shown the more attractive side of the training, so that

they should not continually have the idea of the dull routine drill. Major Lee pointed out that the scattered nature of the district made the assembling of the whole unit difficult, but the whole unit would parade on Anzac Day. Since June 3 there had been no training in drill, the time having been spent in machinegun, rifle and trench mortar instruction. Mr A. Wheeler s“ggested that too much effort should not be concentrated on the territorial force, but that to combat the horrible manner in which war was brought to the very doorstep. Consideration should also be given to the evacuation of towns, the augmentation of fire brigades and the water and electric supply men. Also, in view of the isolation of the Dominion, it should be self-sufficient in the provision of armaments, and with that end in view the Government should be urged to make provision for an armament factory, or at least an arms factory'. That was covered in the constitution, said the Mayor, and o suggestions that transport of volunteers and of women and children should be studied he gave the same reply.