NATIONAL DEFENCE.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3454, 7 April 1920, Page 5

NATIONAL DEFENCE.

IMPORTANT LEAGUE FORMED.

GENERAL RUSSELL PRESIDENT.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, This Day. It is understood that as the result of a movement that has been afoot in Wellington for some months past, the old National Defence League of New Zealand, which became moribund some eight or nine years ago as .the result ‘of universal defensive training. has been revived and plased on .a permanent footing, with the idea of educating the public on sound lines of defence. The promoters,‘ while strongly opposed to the introduction of any spirit of aggressive militarism in this country, and likewise to the country being committed to any extravagant proposals, are ._of ‘opinion that there is every need:- for the ‘Dominion tomaintain a. sound system of defence, so that: in the "event of ‘any grave crisis "developing in the immediate

7’ or distant future,‘ New Zealand‘ will _.?“not be incapable ‘of protecting 'herself. _ was -definitely formed in Wellington some days ago, and has elected as its President l\la.jor—Genel'al- Sir A. Russell, K.C.8., K.C.M.G., who commanded the'New Zealand Division in France, and has since reverted to civilian ‘life. The league’s' platform, it is asserted, contains some highly interesting and novel proposals, Which, it is held, will strongly commend themselves to the people of New Zealand. It is expected that a full announcement of the le‘ag‘ue’s aims and objects will be made during the next few days_