A PROTEST

Hokitika Guardian, 19 December 1930, Page 2

A PROTEST

defence force dismissals. WELLINGTON, December 17. The latest action of the Government in dismissing 114 officers of the Defence Department was considered at a meeting of the General Council of the National Defence League of New Zealand this. evening, when the following resolution was carried : “That this meeting of the General Council of the National Defence League of New Zealand enters its emphatic protest against the action ot the Government in effecting a lnrther drastic cut in the already graven depleted defence forces of the country In doing so it earnestly draws the at tention of the people of New Zealand to the following aspects oi the Gov ment’s action: — (1) “That while this third cut in the defence vote within a period <1 a few months is made in the name of effecting economy, it is directed solely at the Defence Department, which has already been called upon to meet the brunt of the Government’s previous economy measures, (2) “Thnt the services of highly efficent military and civil officers (whose only fault is thnt they have served their country) have been dispensed with, thereby gravely im* pairing the efficiency of the present stnff, threatening the security of the tenure of office of tho remainder, and endangering the future chances of recovery. (3) “That the Government by cancelling the holding of training camps for Territorial and Senior Cadet Officers and n.c.o’s, dismissing 114 officers of the permanent staff and cutting out the refresher courses for the Air Force, has gone back on the pledges it gave to Parliament only as recently as last session. (4) “That in summarily dismissing 114 officers of t]ie Defence Department; without any suitable recognition or appreciation of their past sendees, and without making any prior explanation to the country, the Cabinet has been guilty .of callous conduct, which is not worthy of the New Zealand Government. (5) “That in selecting the Christmas period for the dismissal of loyal and faithful servants merely be>cause they belong to the Defence Department, the Government has acted in a manner that will not appeal to the generous instincts of the majority of the citizens of this country.”