NEED FOR DEFENCE.

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 47, 19 November 1920, Page 6

NEED FOR DEFENCE.

DEPUTATION TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY A SYMPATHETIC HEARING The aims and objects of tho National Defence League of New Zealand were placed before the General Assembly of the Presbyterian. Church" of Now Zea land last night by "a. deputation, corn, prising tho president (Major-Genoral Sir Andrew Russell), Mrs. M, H. Chatfield (Dominion vice-president), Dr. J. S. Elliott (a member of tho Wellington District Council), and Mr, E. E. Muir (honorary secretary).'

in urging the necessity for all true patriots rallying round the league, the major-general -pointed out that tho New Zealand Defence scheme was at present notin abeyance, but in ; a state of flux. He. went on. to point out that preparedness •was the first step to 'peace, and touched on tho fallacy of allowing ourselves to be lulled into a false 6ense of security. The general, who clearly conveyed to tho Assembly tho fact that the league did not stand for militarism, resumed bin seat amid applause, JfrS, Chntfield confined herself in tho main to an explanation of the part that the league proposed the women of tho country should play in any scheme of defence adopted. Two spheres of work lay before them—domestic as woll as social. , , ~ Dr. Elliott pointed out .that tho churches were received with opon arms in the* camps, whereas they were shut out of the schools. He also referred to the improvement effected in the physique of tho youth of the Dominion bj military training. On tho motion of tho Rev. G. H. Balfour the Assembly expressed, its thanks to the deputation and decided to give the matter verv serious consideration at a later stage. Mr. Balfour said that he was pleased to note that those who represented the National Defence League had high idcals-before them, and were desirous of doing their very best in the cause of tho defence of. their country. The Moderator (the Rev. S. W. Currie>, in conveying the thanks of the Assembly to the dopntation, iwid that the Presbyterian Church had always stood for truth, righteousness, and liberty, and he was sure it would not fan Now Zealand in this matter. 'Che deputation wa6 enthusiastically received on all sides. The Assembly then improssively sang the National Anthem.