NATIONAL DEFENCE LEAGUE.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 14 July 1920, Page 2

NATIONAL DEFENCE LEAGUE.

\ MEETING AT PABAPAKAtJMU. 1 About a score of residents attended J at the Anglican schoolroom on Satur--1 I day night to listen to an address by ' f Mrs Chatfield, of Wellington, on the I' i aims and objects of the newly-formed National Defence League of New Zea- • land. Cr. W. J. Howell was chairman, : j and in a few words introduced Mrs \ Chatfield to the mooting. Mrs Chat--1 i field prefaced her remarks by recalling t j the splendid response of Paraparaumu and district to the many calls during the war period, and her knowledge of , these facts gave her cause to hope that the League would find many supportl ers in the district. The need of the i League was, the speaker stated, bel \ cause of the isolation in which New j Zealand stood as an outpost of tho | Empire. Her position thus demanded 1 | that she should have always a trained " i body of men ready to defend hor 5 shores. Several objections which jicopla '■' had voiced against the objects of tho 1 League were effectively dealt with by, the lecturer. That the British Navy, or some poilion of it, should always remain our iirst line of defence was an - ■ admitted fact, but efficient land forces I uere also essential. One method by • ; which the League could assist to that 1 , end would be by helping the Government in conducting the training camps , ' on sound lines. By supplying voluu- " I tary aid workers for the institutes, and t - ' organising entertainment for the I young men assembled, and various s ' other methods wcro outlined. The , League would need a large and influential membership so that its voico > would carry some influence with tho i Government on any matters submitted : it. Various other points of tho ( League's platform were dealt with by thi' speaker. At the close of the address tho ■ chairman proposed that a branch-of the League should be formed in Para- | paraumu, and this was seconded by j Mrs Hadfield. 1 Mr A. T. White, speaking as an exj soldier, declared that such a League 1 | was required, and pointed out that to ' , be prepared for war was a very effee- !', live way of avoiding it. ■ j Others who asked questions or spako I on different phases of activity in which 1 such a League could operate worn j .Messrs U. Howie, L. J. Howell and A. ' Hardhnm. Subsequently most of those ' ' present handed in their names as mem--1 j bers and ;i provisional committee was - -el up, with Mr W. .1. Howell as pro- ' ,i sident and Mrs Hadfield as secretary. Another meeting is to be held at a ' j later date. ' I A In-arty vote of thanks to Mrs ' j Chatfield was carried by acclamation.