LETTER RECEIVED

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21040, 16 February 1940, Page 7

LETTER RECEIVED

DEFENCE LEAGUE’S REQUEST CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION (By Telegraph.—press Association) WELLINGTON, Thursday After discussion on a request by the New Zealand Defence League for an expression of opinion on the subject of compulsory service, the City Council decided to express no opinion and the league’s letter was received. As an amendment to the motion of the Mayor, Mr T. C. A. Hislop, that the letter be received, Mr C. H. Chapman, M.P., moved that the council, being aware of the problems confronting the Government in the present conflict, should express its appreciation of and belief in the Government’s actions. The Mayor said the matter of compulsory service was one for the State and the citizens to decide, not the council. His own view was that such a system was the fairest, most efficient and most rapid means for defence. However, whatever system was in force in New Zealand now or at any other time, he would support it to the best of his ability. The best idea would be to take a census of the whole country, and classify all according to their age and fitness to do the nation’s work and call on them. Reference to Communists He would be sorry to think that under the voluntary system “this Communist group” now active in New Zealand would stay behind and sow seeds of dissension, and then benefit by what the best young men of the land went forth to save. Most other speakers associated themselves with the Mayor’s remarks, and Mr R. McKeen, M.P., said he saw in the league’s letter an anti-Government move. The amendment was withdrawn after a discussion, in which the view was expressed that it would appear to be a judgment on the league’s letter.