DEFENCE MEASURES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22987, 16 September 1936, Page 8

DEFENCE MEASURES

THE EMPIRE'S PERIL MR W. PERRY'S WARNING SUPPORT FOR VOLUNTEER MOVEMENT (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON. Sept. 15. Britain had gone so far in the interests of peace that her condition to-day was provocative of war, Mr W. Perry, M.L.C., told members of the Wellington Rotary Club when addressing them on the necessity for defence. He urged them to support the recently-formed New Zealand Defence League and so enable the Dominion to do its share towards the future well-being of the Empire. Mr Perry said he felt that the Empire was in grave peril. Britain had sent a questionnaire to Germany on the future peacv of Europe, but the German Government had not replied. That silence and the actions of Germany and Italy were ominous, he said, and it appeared that Britain did not carry the weight she used to in the councils of the nations. The mere fact that Britain had re-embarked on a policy of arming showed how serious the position was. Referring to the state of aftairs in Palestine Mr Perry *aid that no man could foresee the position that might grow up there within the next 12 months. He suggested in all sen ousness that men from New Zealand might be travelling towards Palestine within that time. A letter he had received from General bir Andrew Russell suggested that Palestine would be the key position to the international situation m Europe. The position in New Zealand was deplorable. He "took his hat off " to the men who in the face of discouragement had done their best to keep the volunteer army going, but there was need for the citizens to get behind the volunteer movement and encourage the young men of New Zealand to learn how tc defend their country.