POOR DEFENCES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 180, 31 July 1936, Page 8

POOR DEFENCES

NEW ZEALAND'S WEAKNESS NEED FOR GASMASKS MINISTER'S VIEW NOT AGREED WITH. AUCKLAND GALLIPOLI ASSOCIATION U'sx Trees Assoeialionj AUCKLAND, July ■_>« . The attitude ol me Minister ui defence, the Hon. r. Jones, on me question ot supplying tne civilian popuutlion of New witn gasmasKo as a safety precaution in tne event of war, was mentioned at tne annual meeting of the Auckland Gallipoli Association, by K. Mason, a member of the AucKlanu syndicate u hich iecently placed a proposition beioie the Minister for the manutacture of masks. The matter arose during a discussion on the necessity lor supporting territorial training in New Zealand. Colonel C. Spragg said that no one wanted war, but it appeared to be imminent, although he hoped it would jje averted. If New Zealand did not prepare herself by attending to the training of her young men she would pay for that lack of training witn the blood of her sons. Mr. E. H. Hunter, who seconded a motion by Colonel Spragg that the association should give its support tc territory training, said that even il there was no war such training was excellent in the building up of character and physical fitness in young men. Mr. Mason said it was distressing iu see the smallness of units at the Kings Birthday parade about sm weeks ago. He had written to the Minister of Defence on behalf of a syndicate, pointing out the defenceless position of New Zealand in the event of invasion and referring io the menace in the East. War was certainly not desired, but the country should be able to defend itself. Th" object lesson of Abyssinia had beer mentioned. “We put it purely as a seliish commercial proposition to manufacture gas masks in New Zealand.” said MiMason. “After about a month the Minister had replied, saying that the country was so remote as to render such steps practically' unnecessary but if the masks were required they could be obtained from England oi Australia.” Strong disagreement with the Minister's view was expressed by severa members, but the subject was not discussed further. Mr. Spragg's motion was passed unanimously.