DOMINION DEFENCES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 145, 20 June 1936, Page 10

DOMINION DEFENCES

R.S.A. CONFERENCE VIEW IMMIGRATION URGED [ Per Press Association. I WELLINGTON, June 19. A vigorous advocacy of increased measures for defenye throughout the Empire as a sure means of maintaining world peace came from delegates to the New Zealand R.S.A. Ct nl'ercnce, when reaffirmation of a remi’ carried a year ago was recommended by the subcommittee. The speakers were unanimously in favour of increased defence, but there was a difference of opinion as to whether the Empire should rely on collective security witnia the Commonwealth of Nations or on the wider collective security of the Lt ague of Nations. Last year’s resolu’ion urged on the Government the vita’ necessity of bringing our sea, land, and air forces to a state comnien?nrate with our responsibilities, both to New Zealand and the Empire, to devote greater attention to the training ot leaders, and in the event of wai to conscript the whole of the country’s economic resources as well as its man power. To this was added tins year the presentation by Air Lea llev (Christchurch): “In view of tne unsettled state of world affairs, anj in view of the Prime Minister’s deci.iratioii that the first line of defence for New Zealand should be increased population, a scheme of planned immigiation from Great Britain should be inaugurated as soon as possible, and that New Zealand should support a reconstruvled League of Nations, all of the members of which would mutually covenant to apply full economic and military sanction-, against a declared aggressor.” The conference discussed the observance of Anzac Day, following a proposal that the question be -v.bmitted to referendum as to the n.ttuip of the future observance, but the feeling was strongly evident that no change was desired, and a remit that the existing policy of the R.S.A. be upiicl 1 was tarried wit h only one <1 is.seu * ip:;' vote.