DOMINION DEFENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 April 1920, Page 6

DOMINION DEFENCE.

NATIONAL LEAGUE FORMED. WHITE NEW ZEALAND POLICY. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) Wellington, Last Night. It is officially announced that at a well-attended meeting held in Wellington some days ago] it was decided to reestablish the National Defence League of New Zealand, whicli ceased to evist on the introduction of compulsory defensive training eight years ago, and to place the league on a permanent footing with a view to educating the people of the country on the necessrty lor maintaining a sound system of defence. The members of the league, who are civilians only, arc strongly opposed to the introduction of any spirit of aggres- : ,-dve militarism in this country, and as far as the league is concerned, have specially provided against this in the constitution, which insists on the supremacy of the civilian with civilian ideas. On the other hand, particularly in view of recent events, they are strongly of opinion that New Zealand cannot afford to slacken off in matters of defence, and that if the people of New Zealand are to maintain their privileges and ideals they must be prepared to defend them adequately should the occasion arise. The objects of the league are plainly set out in the constitution and rules, copies of which are now available.

LEAGUE'S POLICY OUTLINED, The specific objects of the league arc given as under:— "To maintain a White New Zealand, to secure the immunity of the country from invasion; to educate the people of the country upon such measures of dei' :ice as may be considered necessary. In the attainment of these objects the league specifically lays it down as its policy that it is not desired to convert the manhood of this country into soldiers, but purely to ensure that every man who is capable of bearing arms is given sufficient military training to enable him to obey the highest duty of citizenship by being able adequately to assist to protect his country should the occasion arise. In other words, the platform of the league sets forth that the New Zealander is a citizen, and only becomes a soldier when he is required for the defence of his country. In order to attain its objects the league proposes to advocate:— (1) The maintenance of a universal defensive training system. (2) As far as practicable, the embodiment of the lessons of the late war in our universal defensive training system.

(3) The provision of sufficient guns, rifles, and equipment so that the Kew Zealand Citizen Army, on mobilisation for the defence of our own shores, will be able to take the field fully equipped, and will have sufficient spares for replacement. (4) The immediate consideration of providing machinery in this country for the adequate supply of shell and small arms ammunition; plants devoted to the manufacture of evplosives and ammunition to be State-owned. (5) The strengthening of our coasta? defences so that Js T ew Zealand shall have at least two safe harbors for the protection of its shipping. (B) The making of special provision for the training of Territorial officers and n.e.o.'s.

A STRICTLY DEMOCRATIC FORCE. (7) The acceptance of the principle that in future no one, except in the case of the public interest, can become a commissioned officer of the New Zealand Citizen Defence Forces unless he has served three years in the ranks(B) The removal of the control of the recruitment of Territorials, Senior Cadets, and of the Reserve from the Defence authorities, and placing it in the hands of a Civil Department of the State. (!)) The devotion of special attention to the moral training of the youth of this country, and their education in the ideals of good citizenship. (10) The strict suppression of all had [language in eampa. making its use punishable as in civilian life. The league insists that this evil must he put down with a strong hand, and demands that the Defence Department shall take practical steps to secure its eradication. (11) The taking of every possible precaution to preserve the health of hoys while undergoing training in camp or elsewhere, with endeavors to improve the same under proper medical supervision; vilso educating trainees upon the observance of health principles during both civilian and military life. (12) The employment of selected women to assist in cooking, ambulance work, and in all the institutes in camp where they can be profitably and suitably employed. (13) The' strengthening and encouragement of rifle clubs, sufficient assistance, in regard to the supply of rifles nnrt ammunition particularly, being given to induce members of the N.Z.E.F. to join rifle clubs of their own volition, and thus enhance the value of the Reserve Force of New Zealand. (14) Any legimitate means for strengthening national defence. LEAGUE'S ORGANISATION 7 . The constitution provides for ffle government of tiie league by a general council, and the establishment of as many district councils, and branches as it may be deemed desirable to form in the interests of the league. District councils are to be formed at Auckland, Hamilton, Napier. New Plymouth, Wanganui, Paimerston North, Wellington, Nelson, Blenheim, C'hristchurch, Timaru, Greymouth, Dunedin, and Invercargill. The Provisional General H'ouncr!, which will manage the affairs of the league for the year 102(1-21, has been elected as follows: —President. Major-Geiu-ral Sir A. H. Russell, K.C.B, K.C.M.G.; vice-presidents, Mr. .T. P. Firth, Mrs. M. IT- Chat-field; members, LieutColonel G. Mitchell, D.5.0.. M.P., Lieut.Ciiloncl J. R, Elliott, M.D., Lieuts. IT. T. Marshall, M.C., and XV. Perry, the Rev. G. Knowles-Smith, Messrs. ,T. P. Luke, C.M.G.. M.l'.. IT. F. von Haast. T. Ward, and Mosdames J. P. Luke, K. Preston, C. Earle. and A. R. Atkinson; lion, general secretary, "Mir Ernest E. Mnir; lum. treasurer, "Mr. A- C. Bretherton; nuditors, Messrs. Watkins, Hull, and Wheeler. The whole of the members of the general council, whose military rank is given, are returned soldiers who were civilians before the war, and have since resumed their civilian status.