WAR AND RUMOUR OF WARS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22515, 24 September 1938, Page 24

WAR AND RUMOUR OF WARS

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS. Sir,—lt is interesting to note (vide “The Press") that the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Hamilton) has informed the Prime Xvlinister that he can be assured of loyal and ready cooperation of the Opposition in the event of Britain becoming involved in war. But what most pepole would like to know is; would the present Government be prepared to see that New Zealand would carry her share of the responsibility as a unit of the British Empire? During the Great War period this Dominion maintained, for home defence, a territorial force of 25,000 men, this apart from the Expeditionary Force. This year only some 3000 men went into camp for the annual training. It is quite time that the people of New Zealand awakened to the need for some better plan of defence for this distant but patriotic Dominion of the British Empire. Should we, at any time, be engaged in war (and just now it looks as though war may not be far distant), I am doubtfi-1 if the people of New Zealand would have much confidence in our national security with the present Government in power.—Yours, etc., R. T. WILLAN. Rangiora, September 20, 1938.