LEGION OF FRONTIERSMEN

Chronicle (Levin), 20 June 1946, Page 4

LEGION OF FRONTIERSMEN

— ♦ — DOMINION CONFERENCE The claim that official recognition of the Legion of Frontiersmen would have ooviated the necessity for "the halt and the lame, the aged and infirm," being draggea in co torjn an arrned force when the enemy was on New Zealand's doorstep was made by the Commaiid--anr, J. C. Findlater, in his annual report to the Dominion conference oi the Legion ,at New Plymouth recently. Mr. -Findlater said that when a Japanese invasion of New Zealand oeemed imminent, and the Home Guard was hastily organised, the appalling ignorance in the handling of flrearms. of many .who volunteered became apparent. "It is almost impossible even now to reaiise thac we had drifted into such a state of unpreparedness," he ^aid. Returns received so far, he continued, proved that the Legion oi Frontiersmen had been the oackbone of ihe Home Guard, and to a certain extent, it had served lts purpose — as the nucleus of a nome defence force. '•But — and this is the vital point — wnat would the position" have been had the Legion received offijcial recognition and encouragejrnent? Would there have been any necessity to go out into the highv/ays and byways and drag in tne halt and the lame, the .aged and mlirm, and endeavour co weld them into a moderately, effective force when the enemy was already on our doorstep?" asked the Commandant. There can be only one answer. "A world federation appears to be nothlng more than the dream pf idealists, and present indications are that no substantial grounds exist on which to base hopes of a federation of English-speaking peoples. Until some such union is orought about, our safety and that of the Empire we love can only be guarded by eternal vigilance and sacrifice," the speaker concluded. The conference was attended by nearly 150 delegates, representing 14 squadrons in the North Island. Commandant Findlater, of Hawera, presided. The Frontiersmen are a voluntary, self-governing, self-support-mg body, with no political creed out that of Empire. To-day there are Frontiersmen in all parts of the world,, not militant war seekers, but men Who are ready to stand for che Empire again, should the necessity arise. At one stage in New Zealand's history, out of seven y.C.'s awarded, flve of them were \Von by Legionaries. Locai citizens who wish to join the Legion should communicate with Lt. A. .S. Dunholm, Queen St. East, or Cpl. St. L. Simpson, ,Veraroa Roai.