RETURNED MEN AND DEFENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 24 July 1931, Page 7

RETURNED MEN AND DEFENCE

NEEDS OF COUNTRY.

OPINIONS AT METINC OF ASSOCIATION.

CHRISTCHURCH, July 22. The detente needs cU the Lomimon, and the action of the recent tonrerance of the Returned Soldiers’ Association in asking that a non-political Commission should be set up by the Governmet to determine what was necessary were discussed at the quarterly meeting of the Christchurch Heturned Soldier’s Association last evening. The discussion covered the general attitude that war was to be avoided, but, failing universal disarmament, some form of defence was necessary. The opinions were expressed in the course df consideration of a motion brought forward by 'Mr T. L. Urummond, as follows: “That, having jregard to the economic misery of thousands of returned soldiers in the Dominion, this meeting disapproves cf the resolution passed by the co'-'forence requesting the Government to adopt certain measures of defence, knowing that the recruiting will be from the ranks df ex-service men.” Mr Drummond said that many resolutions were passed by the conference winch did not express the opinion of the rank and file, Some years ago, for example, the conference had decided to do all in its power to encourage immigration, and as a result many returned men were now unemployed, In asking young men to serve their country they were asking the s °ns of men many of whose stomachs were empty to-day to go the same way as their fathers had done. Personally lie thought the rank and file were not in favour of that resolution, and he desired to hear their opinion ex-, pressed. The chairman (the Rev. F. T. Read) said that the actual remit passed at the conference had read: ‘That the Government he strongly urged to appoint a commission of experts, independent of political control to enquire into the matter of the defence of New Zealand; and to bring down a scheme of defence, having regard to the requirements of the Committee for Imperial Defence, and to the requirements of the three services—Air Force ,Army an Navy.” Mr A. 11. Campbell said that every returned man should be an ambassador for peace. He asked whether it was necessary to have a commission—costing miich money—to enquire into the defence question. All returned men should work to see that none had to go through the carnage those present had experienced.

DEFENCE IN POLITICAL HANDS

The yy !• tary (Mr E. F. Willcox) sa.d that at tue conference it had been pointed out that the defence system of the country was in the hands of the political power of the day. It had bene indicated that all wished for peace, it would be maintained if all the nations would join in disarmament. Unfortunately some nations were arming to the teeth, and Britain was in the position of a third-rate power. The conference had felt that the mater of defence should not be in the hands of the political party in power for the moment. Mr G. W. Llody referred to the endorsement given by the conference to the proposal for universal disarmament. At the conference, acting on the instructions of the annual meeting the delegates had opposed the remit. He trusted that the meeting would not take the step c f rejecting the decisions of the conference. Colonel F. W. W. Dawson said that the professional soldier hated war more than anybody. Some measure off defence was necessary* as was shown by what might have happened without it in 1914. As for the means to be adopted that was for the experts to decide.

Colonel Stafford said that some defence was necessary, as a nation without it would fall. New Zealand had had a conscripted territorial system, but there had been always an unsavoury atmosphere. Now there was a volunteer system, and only those v'&'j wanted to had to go. If men did not defend their own country,' sonn- day they would have military rule against their will. The last war had been called “a war to end war,” hut Marshal Foch had said that there would be a greater war, and he had been right. That war was being foung now—an industrial war. The motion was lost.