THE DEFENCE LEAGUE

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 182, 15 May 1939, Page 2

THE DEFENCE LEAGUE

Sir, —I. too. attended the Defence League’s meeting of a week ago, and l am heartily in favour of its ideas. L. may add that I will be affected by the introduction of conscription, so I am not talking through my “liat”. Mow does “Old Swad'dy” think that con-:] scription is not in the best interests ! of the people? With compulsory military training everyone of age must serve—there will be no standing back to let the other fellow do the spade work. As Old Swaddy mentioned r people past military age were the most prominent in discussion as regardsconscription. That has nothing to dowith it. The fact remains that conscription is the only thing that can bring the country to a prepared state. If the young men of to-clay do not realise that fact now it is no use waiting till we are attacked to convincethem. But lam sure that after careful consideration young men will agree that it is necessary. Were we to fellow- Old Swaddy’ s idea, then we. would certainly have no end 'of eager military trainees—a fortnight’s full pay for camp, as. welt as camp pay, and half a-day off each week. All very well, but it is doubtful if the employer

—bui'denedi as he is—could stand the strain. Indeed why should we have to be pampered and paid to do our plain duty? Thanking you" for your valuable spate. SI VIS PAR OEM PARA BELLUM. ■ ‘