RE-SETTLE THE SOLDIERS

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 15954, 24 October 1919, Page 2

RE-SETTLE THE SOLDIERS

PLEA. BY BIUGADTK R-G ENERAL RICHARDSON. POPULATION WANTED. HAMILTON, October 21. Brigadier-General Richardson, interviewed, said it, was absolutely necessary to make preparations for tho defence of the country. Those who regarded the cohsummation, of 'the League of Nations as the death knell to war would bo, he was afraid, greatly mistaken.

The first interest of the country was to get the soldiers settled in civil life again as quickly as possible so as to become productive and assist in building up tho country and commerce. This was the greatest essential at tho present time. After that he would advocate a vigorous immigration policy with the idea of building up population for tbe time when we would have to defend ourselves. At present we were surrounded by densely populated countries, and a small population was a source of weakness.

The General considered the protest of tho Church Council regarding foul language lowering the moral of concentration camps was all ilonsonse. There was a need of public education in matters of defence. The General declared he had no intention of entering politics, adding, “it la very seldom a professional soldier makes a successful politician.”