DOMINION DEFENCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 September 1938, Page 6

DOMINION DEFENCE

APPROVAL OF GOVERNMENT ACTION. LEAGUE OF NATIONS UNION RESOLUTION. By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, This Day. Discussion on New Zealand defence took place at yesterday’s conference of the Dominion Council of the League of Nations Union in Wellington. The occasion was a remit from the Wellington branch asking the conference to express its “approval of the New Zealand Government’s action in strengthening New Zealand’s defences at a time when the world situation is so threatening and uncertain .• as at present.” In moving the remit, the Rev F. J. Usher said he regretted the necessity that had occasioned its being brought forward, but this was no time to sit down and close one’s eyes to the position and hope for the best. Mr S. J. Bennett (Palmerston North) said he regretted that Wellington had brought forward the remit in view of its attitude to his remit earlier in the day advocating that the socially responsible older people should be called on before youth was conscripted. He would accept the remit if the words were added: “But that the New Zealand Government be urged to arrange that the socially responsible older' people be called on in defence of New Zealand before making any conscription of youth.” He thought the delegates should pause and consider what the young people were being asked to do before passing the remit in its present form. , Mr Bennett’s amendment, which was seconded, was defeated. Mr Craig McKenzie moved as another amendment the addition of the following words to the remit: “So that New Zealand may be in a position to fulfil its obligations as a signatory to the Covenant of the League of Nations.” The Wellington delegates agreed to accept the amendment, and when the words had been added the remit was carried.