HELP THE TERRITORIALS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 August 1939, Page 4

HELP THE TERRITORIALS

MASTERTON ASSOCIATION TO BE FORMED. DEFENCE LEAGUE'S ASSISTANCE ASSURED. More than usual interest, is being taken in the meeting to be held in the A. and P. Rooms, Masterton, on Thursday at 8 p.m. to form a Territorial Association in Masterton. Captain B. Barrington, recruiting officer. Central Military District, will be present. The whole-hearted co-operation and assistance of members of the Defence League is assured, according to views expressed by the Mayor of Masterton, Mr T. Jordan, who is also president of the Masterton branch of the league. Mr Jordan slated that the question was continually arising as to whether members of the Defence League could help units, in view of their opposition to the Government’s policy regarding enlistment. The position was that Territorial associations were official bodies of public-spirited citizens who were prepared to help the local Territorials. They were not concerned with matters of policy, but they had the important task of encouraging the local men and showing that the community was prepared to help them and was proud of them. “There is no reason why a member of the Defence League, irrespective of his opinions regarding voluntary or compulsory training, should not be an active member of the local Territorial Association,” said Mr Jordan. “provided of course, that policy matters are not brought into the Territorial Association activities. In many of the smaller centres members of the local Defence League have done a great deal to help recruiting and there is no reason why the same thing should not be done in Masterton.”