NATIONAL DEFENCE LEAGUE.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 March 1922, Page 4

NATIONAL DEFENCE LEAGUE.

AIMS AND OBJECTS EXPLAINED. SERVICE THE KEYNOTE. VALUE OF COMMUNITY CLUBS. A meeting was held at the Victoria League rooms, New Plymouth, yesterday afternoon, for the purpose of considering the formation of a branch of the National Defence League in New Plymouth and establishing a Community Club for the benefit of Territorials and Senior Cadets. Mr. E. Muir, the honorary general secretary of the league, with headquarters at Wellington, gave an address on the subject. The Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson) presided.

The objects of the league, as enunciated by Mr. Muir, were to maintain a white New Zealand, to secure the immunity of the country from invasion, and to educate the people of the country upon such measures of defence 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 the country into soldiers, but purely to ensure that every man capable of bearing arms is given sufficient military training to enable him to obey the highest duty of citizenship by being able 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. EDUCATING THE YOUTH.

The methods by which it was hoped to attain these objects were outlined by Mr. Muir. The annual subscription, he said, was 2s 6d per annum, 2s of which goes to the general council, and the remaining sixpence to the funds of the branch collecting the money. No salaries were paid to the officers of the league. In Wellington, the stronghold of the movement, over 2000 members had been enrolled. It was hoped that the Washington Conference would solve all the league’s difficulties, and make its existence unnecessary, but the conference had in certain respects proved disappointing. The actual results of the conference were summarised by Mr. Muir as making a reduction in armaments; the nations were permitted to build a larger fleet of submarines and auxiliary craft than any nation possessed before, and certain pacts, which he thought were but temporary, had been arrived at. On the negative side neither the question of land armaments nor the the racial question, particularly as it affected us in the Pacific, had been touched upon. Reverting to the main aspect of the subject, Mr. Muir said the Defence Department was what the civilian spirit made it. But what was the use of developing the highest type of citizenship if it could not be maintainned ? This was where the community club came in. There was no antagonistic spirit on either side in reference to these clubs, as the Defence Department had helped the league in every possible way. The main features of the community club were that it existed for the benefit of active members of the Territorial and Senior Cadet forces; it imparted, chiefly by the medium of women, that home influence that was so desirable; it was of educational importance, and in this connection the interests of leading educationalists had been enlisted, and a series of lectures arranged; and, lastly, the medical men had shown a keen interest in the club, which had the complete backing of the British Medical Association. These clubs provided a great opportunity for educating our youth at the period when they were most impressionable, said the speaker. The objects of the league were summed up in the word “service”. DUTY TO THE BOYS. Mr. C. H. Weston said the meeting was indebted to Mr. Muir for introducing the community club scheme to New Plymouth. The whole scheme, to his mind, was summed up in Mr. Muir’s own words, “What an opportunity!” The youths were passing through our drill halls at an age when they were most ready to receive impressions, either good or bad. The community clubs were seizing the opportunity, and seeing that good impressions were imparted. Reference was made to the high standard of information and education given, as a glance at the syllabus showed, and the speaker thought that New Plymouth wpuld be lacking in its duty if it did not clo the same for Taranaki boys in general, and New Plymouth boys in particular. His own experience in the army was that the utmost value was derived from such a scheme. He expressed approval of the idea of enlisting the help of the ladies, and referred in appreciative terms to the work done by the V.A.D.’s in the recent war. Mr. Weston then moved that a community club be established In New Plymouth. Mr. Muir pointed out that the first step would be to form a local branch of the league and elect an executive. The Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson) thought the scheme an admirable one, but due consideration must first be given it. He then moved, with Mr. Weston’s consent, that Mr. Weston be asked to convene another meeting later. Archdeacon Evans, in seconding, thought it a wise step not to rush into the scheme. He realised the enormous benefit to be derived, and pointed out that the nucleus of the scheme was already in operation »n New Plymouth, as the Senior Cadets were given a quarter-of-an-hour address when on parade, and some provision was made for recreation. The community club scheme could enlarge on this. This motion was carried, after which the Rev. F. G. Harvie moved a vote of thanks ito the speaker, this being carried by acclamation.