RE-SETTLE THE SOLDIERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 October 1919, Page 4

RE-SETTLE THE SOLDIERS.

. PLEA BY BRIGADIER-GENERAL ' RICHARDSON. POPULATION WANTED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Hamilton, Last Night. Brigadier-General Richardson, interviewed, said it was absolutely necessary to make preparations for the defence of the country. Those who regarded the consummation of the League of Nations as the death knell to war would be, he was afraid, greatly mistaken. The first interest of the country was to get the soldiers settled in civil life again as quickly as possible so as to become productive and assist in building up the country and commerce. This waß the greatest essential at the present time. After that he would advocate a vigorous immigration policy with the idea of building up population for the when we would have to defend ourselves. At present we were surrounded by densely populated countries, and a small population was a source of weakness. The General considered the protest of the Church Council regarding foul language lowering the moral of concentration camps was all nonsense. There was a need of public education in matters of defence. The General declared he had no intention of entering politics, adding, "it is very seldom a professional soldier makes a successful politician."