Attitude Of R.S.A. Explained By An Executive Member

Wanganui Chronicle, 23 July 1949, Page 4

Attitude Of R.S.A. Explained By An Executive Member

“It is my duty to try and place before you the policy of the R.S.A. on the question of compulsory military training,” said Mr. O’Keeffe. “I am convinced that New Zealand today is at the cross-roads. A decision of vital importance is about to be made. This decision has got to be made, not by any particular section, but by the people themselves. It must be made by the individual vote of each and every adult. Never before in its history" has New Zealand been called on to face up to such a vital matter.” Never had New Zealand, been called on to consider a question which affected it more. It may even mean the turning point in its history, Mr. O’Keeffe added. He appealed to ■ every adult to exercise his or her j franchise and not refrain from voting because of apathy. There were many angles to be considered. Some people were concerned about the possible impact of compulsory military training on industry Others were concerned about the detrimental affect, if any, of this training on the lives of the youths concerned. Others may even be considering the financial aspect of the scheme. These issues should be put aside, said Mr. O’Keeffe. He quoted Lord Montgomery, when speaking to Dutch military experts, as saying that money spent on defence needs in time of peace was the price to be paid for national insurance against war. Some people asked why all the fuss and stampeding about lhe country? Was there a menace to New Zealand?” If any of these questions are worrying you I’m sure that with the speakers we have here tonight they will be answered,” Mr. O’Keeffe said. “It is not my duty to speak about them now. My responsibility is to speak from the point of view of the R.S.A.” The R.S.A. throughout New Zealand supported compulsory military training with all the force that it could raise. The R.S.A. recognised the need for compulsory military training and at a recent Dominion conference the N.Z.R.S.A. pledged its full and complete support, with all the energy that it could muster, for an affirmative vote when the referendum was held on August 3. “We believe that there must be an adeouate and efficient defence force in New Zealand.” said Mr. O’Keeffe We maintain that the Dominion must make its full contribution to the defence of the British Commonwealth of Nations, without which New Zealand would collapse. We are not warmongers. as some people would have you believe. We. of the R.S.A., who have had practical experience of it, hate war more than any other section of the community. But in spite of this, wo are convinced that New Zealand must have an adequate and ' efficient defence system, and that the only way such a force can be raised is •

by the introduction of compulsory military training. Other ways have been tried, but they have failed miserably.” ! Two wars had taught the bitter lesson of unpreparedness. The highest casualties were among the untrained troops, and the only way to give these men a chance was to train and prepare them. “We realise how feeble were our efforts in Greece and Crete, and in the desert during the early , part of the war. Some of the men had never handled a weapon before. They could not stem the tide of the [ advancing forces of trained men,” : said Mr. O’Keeffe. THE MAORI ATTITUDE | Mr. Tirikatene made a spirited ap- ! peal in Maori and pakeha for supi port for the referendum The Maori i people, he said, would hot be back- ■ ward in coming forward and by strik- ! ing out the bottom line give themI selves a right in the days to come. 'Already 2000 Maori volunteers had j come along asking to be taken into ' camp. The Maori people, he added, were intensely loyal to the King and the Empire. At the conclusion of the meeting I a resolution was carried supporting [the referendum.