DEFENCE OF DOMINION.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 372, 1 March 1937, Page 5

DEFENCE OF DOMINION.

“ONLY WAY OPEN.”

Avoidance of War By Being Strong.

Press Association—Copyright. Hastings, February 27

“If we want to avoid war there is only one way open, and that is to be prepared by being so strong ithat other people will prefer to leave us alone,” said Major-General Sir Andrew Russell in an address l on defence given to Hastings Rotarians. “It Is generally admitted that the League of Nations is crumbling, and the only chance, of its success is that it should comprise nations with a pure heart and honest Intention ot leading peaceful Sir Andrew advocated collective security as a means of defence, but in this connection pointed out it had to be undertaken very thoroughly, even to the extent of New Zealand sending contingents overseas if necessary.

Sir Andrew stated that New Zealand was looked upon as the weakest link in the Empire, but he said he did not think there was any fear of an invasion. There might be raids to weaken the morale of the people, but no country would waste money and ammunition in an invasion. In the event of New Zealand being unsuccessful in war, all that would probably happen would be that the victors would take the right to enter the country on the same terms as anyone else, and would also demand good trade terms.

He expressed the view that compulsory service might prove worth while, for it was necessary that in a fighting Power there should be efficiency in preference to numbers, and, after all, there could be no objection to compulsory .service, for there was now compulsion on all sides for the betterment of all. Sir Andrew added he did not like the word conscription, but compulsory training -was a different matter altogether.