CONTINUING TO FUNCTION

Southland Times, Issue 24241, 26 September 1940, Page 11

CONTINUING TO FUNCTION

SOUTHLAND DEFENCE LEAGUE CRITICISM HELD TO BE UNJUSTIFIED “Events have shown that we were in the right and that criticism that the league was scare-mongering and that it was a political organization was unjustified,” declared the president of the Southland branch of the New Zealand Defence League (Dr G. H. Uttley) yesterday at a meeting which was held to consider the branch’s futu.re. The branch decided to continue to function. From its funds totalling £29 it decided to give £25 to the Southland Territorial Force Association to provide sports equipment for territorials in camp and to send £4 to the Dominion headquarters of the league to be held in trust. A letter was received from the Dominion secretary (LieutenantColonel R. H. Marryat) stating that the president (the Hon. W. Perry, M.L.C) considered that there was no reason why the league should remain active in the meantime, now that its objects had been achieved. It was not considered desirable that small amounts of money should remain scattered about the country to the credit of district branches, and it was proposed to collect all amounts standing to the credit of branches into a central fund until such time as it was decided what to do with the money. The money received would be credited to the vanous branches. Mr P. Linton Hodge said that the men going to territorial camps constituted the first line of defence of the country and he considered that the Southland Territorial Force Association should be supported with a donation. It was stated that the Territorial Force had been about 500 strong in the province, but that they would now number 773. Previously the association had been barely able to provide sports equipment and comforts, but it would be in a difficult position now that the number of men going into camp had been increased. “MONEY SHOULD BE USED” “I think the money should be used, not stowed away for an indefinite period. It was collected in this district and should be spent for the benefit of the district,” said a member. He cot ?~ sidered that the money available could be put to the best use by helping the territorials. It was decided to make the grant to the Territorial Force Association and to send the balance of the money to Wellington. The chairman said he thought it was very necessary that the league should continue to function after the war. Since it was started some three years ago, its main objective of compulsory training had been achieved. There was a tendency after a war, however, for people to think that there would be no more fighting, and he thought it essential that there should be compulsory training in the Dominion after hostilities had ceased. Besides giving the country a system of defence, it provided an excellent training in discipline for young men. We have seen in this war what happens to those countries which do not have a proper system of defence,” he said. For the period from March 1939 to October 1940, the income of the branch from donations and subscriptions was shown at £156. A list giving district memberships showed that Wyndham had 470 members; Invercargill 309, Otautau 130, Woodlands 117, Winton 50, Mossburn 31, Tuatapere 20, Bluff 20. “I congratulate Wyndham on its splendid membership,” said Dr. Uttley. That district had supported the league strongly and its efforts would be an inspiration to the Southland branch in the future. It was decided to place on record the branch’s appreciation o fthe services of the president (Dr Uttley), the secretary (Mr T. N. McKenzie), the treasurer (Mr W. R. Harris) and the branch’s delegate to Wellington (Mr T. F. Gilkison). On the motion of Mr W. R. Harris, a vote of thanks to the Returned Soldiers’ Association for allowing the branch the use of a meeting room was carried.