MAKING OF ARMS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 05, Issue 48, 4 May 1942, Page 5

MAKING OF ARMS

CIVIL DEFENCE COUNCIL

COUNTY COUNCII/S SUPPORT

1 Writing tin- County Council the Mayor of Rotorua enclosed minutes of a conference hold at Whakatane. The "writer called particular attention to the recommendation regarding the formation of a Civil Defence Council; in the No. 2A. Home. Guard Area. The objects suggested Averc to assist in any way in strengthening and encouraging the defence of this area, with particular reference to the Home 1 Guard, it being J'clt that this organisation, representative as (t would be of all the Local Bodies in the Area and representing approximately 52,000 inhabitants, might be able Lo approach the Government and the War Cabinet in a way in which, the Army Officers or Officers of the Home Guard could not. It was asked tiiat in due course some indication be given of the decision arrived at by the Council sot that a further conference may be called, and if the idea is acceptable to the. Local Authorities, to agree on the basis of representation. It was felt by those present that the lead in such an important matter as this should come from the Local Authorities and not from private unofficial organisations. Enlarging on the meeting and the subsequent trip to Hamilton the chairman said that the main idea was to obtain equipment for the armed forces by mobilising the potential resources of this and the Rotorua district. The weapons might not be orthodox but at least they would be effective. It was felt that there were enough operators machinery, and waste metal at hand to provide all that might be required by way of arms. He felt strongly that the council should link up with the movement which was pledging new strength to the defence of this especial district. The setting tip o.f the Civil Defence Council was for the

purpose of collating and investigating the existing plants and machinery which might be utilised. Every lathe in the/ country should be registered and CA'ery possibility for arms production explored. Cr Luxton asked if at the Hamilton conference the Government had offered to support the ucav moA rernent, instead of trying to strangle it. Mr Burnett replied that the indications had been most favourable, but the organisation Avas even prepared to proceed Avithout the Goa"crnment. Cr Luxton said he supported the move 100 per cent, for if it became strong enough lo represent the A'oice of the people as a Avholei the Government Avould be forced to take a stand. Cr Spence said that if the local bodies had retained their interest In the Home Guard no GoAernment could haA"e indefinitely resist the growing public opinion in support. Me personally had regretted that support had been Avitlulrawn and was therefore strongly in faAour of the new 7 move. The' conneU decided to support the formation of a No. 2A Home Guard Area CiA'il Defence Council, but that, at tlris stage, this council is not prepared to pledge its ratepayers to provide funds for defence equipment.