SUSPENSION OF COMPULSORY MILITARISM IS OPPOSED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19154, 21 August 1930, Page 9

SUSPENSION OF COMPULSORY MILITARISM IS OPPOSED.

Upper House, Led by Sir Janies Allen, May Reject Amendment.

(Special to the “Star.”)

WELLINGTON, August kl. CONSIDERABLE interest will centre upon the sitting of the Legislative Council tin's afternoon, as there is a possibility of strong opposition being offered to the passage ol the Defence (Temporary) Amendment Bill, which gives effect to Ihe Government’s intention to postpone the operation of compulsory military service for one year. Unless a clear undertaking is given by the Government that the measure is an economy one onlv and not an attack on the defence system of New Zealand, there is a risk of the Bill being thrown out. The leader of the opposition to the measure is Sir James Alien, who was Minister of Defence during the war period. It is expected that he will put a direct question to the Leader of the Council (Sir Thomas Sidey) as to the objects of the Bill. If the reply is considered to he unsatisfactory, it is more than likely that the measure will not be allowed to pass its second reading. In the event of this happening the Government will be placed in an embarrassing position, especially in view of the early departure of the Prime Minister for the Imperial Conference.