VOLUNTEER ARMY

Hokitika Guardian, 16 August 1932, Page 5

VOLUNTEER ARMY

IS NOT DESIRED

TO AID IRISH FREE STATE,

(United Press Association—By Electric ‘ i Telegraph—Copyright.)

LONDON, August 15

■At Dublin organisers of the Comrades’ Association aM"deluged with correspondence from' prospective recruits throughout Ireland.

Mr Aiken, the Free State Minister of Defence, speaking at West Meath, declared that the volunteers were playing England’s game. If they Started any trouble in Ireland, he said, the Free State Government was sufficiently strong to maintain law and order, and it did not need the help of any group who might aspire to be saviours of the country. The Minister of Defence continued: “We will not accept dictation from them, as we have refused British dictation. We are proceeding calmly and dispassionately to our goal of an independent republic, and we will not hasten, nor slacken, at the behest of a small section.”

Ml* Aiken added that the Free State Government would be shortly asking the people to deal with the Senate so ns to prevent it from longer barring the road ‘to independence and pros* perity,

'‘WHITE ARMY” DEFENDED. protection for the people. i ; (Received this day at 10.25 a.m.) x . , DUBLIN, August 15. ‘*We are not a menace or a challenge" to the Government,” said Mr. ,p>Higgins, explaining the formation of the , White Army.” “We are not a military body, but an army of peace ■standing between the people and the menace of secret organisations. There is no, intention to issue arms. Recruiting is proceeding well, and there will be no drilling as long as drilling is an offence, but the backbone consists of men already trained. “In the present state of depress’on, demoralisation is growing among the people. In consequence of invisible intimidation the whole people are more or less prostrate at the feet of secret organisations. Property owners are being greatly jeopardised, and unless some organisation stands between the people and intimidation, the growth of ,Communistic principles will producechaos and anarchy.” .