DEFENCE OF LIBERTY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 245, 13 September 1940, Page 8

DEFENCE OF LIBERTY.

ADDRESS TO LABOUR PARTY

HON. R. SEMPLE’S SPEECH

Speaking before a well-attended meeting of the Palmerston North Labour Representation Committee, representatives of affiliated organisations and members of the Labour Party, last evening, Hon. R. Semple, Minister of National Service, gave an outline of the circumstances leading up to the Government’s decision to form the Home Guard and spoke oil the necessity of New Zealand’s preparedness. The chair was occupied by Mr A. E. Johnson, president of the Labour Representation Committee, and Mr J. Hodgens, M.P., gave a short address on the importance of defence preparations.

Mr Semple stressed the point that this country was by no means outside the danger zone of the present world conflagration, and that our liberties, our institutions, and our standards of living were worth the very best that we could give in their defence. What would an invading Power have to offer us in exchange for what we now possess? he asked. What had they brought to Belgium, to France, or to Denmark except destruction and pillage and the ruthless suppression of the last vestige of freedom and liberty of thought and action. It would be nothing less than stupidity on our part, Mr Semple continued, if we were to expect anything but the very same treatment should Britain’s strength and oiir own defences prove inadequate to tlie strain. Inadequate defence meant adequate training and preparation for defence. That was onlv common sense, and in the Home Guard the men and women of New Zealand, irrespective of partv or creed, would have the opportunity of gaining some degree of preparedness for the task that might he ahead At the conclusion of his address Mr Semple answered freely a great number of questions, and a motion thanking the Minister for his most interesting and instructive talk and expressing confidence in him as Minister in charge of National Service, was carried by acclamation. -