DISTRICT CONFERENCE OF R.S.A. URGES GOVERNMENT ACTION DEFENCE POLICY FOR N.Z.

Wanganui Chronicle, 3 December 1946, Page 6

DISTRICT CONFERENCE OF R.S.A. URGES GOVERNMENT ACTION DEFENCE POLICY FOR N.Z.

“That the Government be urged to provide adequate Navy, Army and Air Force defence of New Zealand immediately satisfactory arrangements can be made with the Commonwealth and Empire Governments as what these requirements will be.” This resolution, originally carried by the Dominion Council of the New Zealand Returned Services’ Association in May last, was re-affirmed at a district R.S.A. conference held in Wanganui this week-end. Also reaffirmed was the following: “That it be a recommendation to the Government to provide a scheme of compulsory physical and military training based on the requirements of the respective services.”

It was decided that each branch would forward a copy of the resolutions to its local member of Parliament and request his support. Mr H. B. Burdekin (Levin), provincial vice-president of the N.Z.R.S.A., told the conference that the United Kingdom Government, in concert with the chiefs of staff of the three services, had decided on a general plan of Empire defence. It was now time for the New Zealand Government to lay down a policy of defence in conformity with this general plan, Mr. Bwdekin added. The conference was attended by representativs of the Wanganui, Marton, Hunterville, Rata, Taihape, Waverley, Bulls and Wahnarmo Associations, and was also attended by Mr. Carson, of the Dominion Executive Council.

Deliberations of the conference continued throughout the day and were devoted to matters of administration, welfare and policy. Many of these questions will be brought up for discussion and explanation at tne quarterly meeting oi the W’anganui R.S.A. to be held to-mor-row night.