WAR PROBABLE

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20733, 17 February 1939, Page 9

WAR PROBABLE

BEFORE MARCH 1940 MAJ.-GEN. A. H. RUSSELL’S VIEW DEFENCE LEAGUE AT TE AROHA (Special to Times) TE AROHA, Thursday The opinion that war would break out before March, 1940, and that whether New Zealand were involved or not would depend on the Dominion's readiness to meet the challenge was expressed in a letter from Major-General Sir Andrew Russell, read at a meeting at Te Aroha convened by the Mayor, Mr R. Coulter, to consider the formation of a branch of the New Zealand Defence League. The consensus of opinion at the meeting was (hat Ihe whole country was awaiting a lead from the Government in Ihe matter of compulsory military training, and that in view of the critical situation, and the strained international relations overseas it was most urgent that immediate steps he taken to build up the Dominion’s defences against the possibility of hostile invasion or attack. Sir Andrew Russell's letter stated that while aeroplanes, ships and guns were necessary, volunteers and personal service were needed even more. What he described as the lack of interest and the deplorable weakness of the Territorial forces to-day were emphasised by Mr G. 11. Nicholls, who, said that people in New Zealand failed to realise that the rule of force had taken the place of the rule of law. It was decided to form a Te Aroha branch of the Defence League, the following committee being appointed: —Messrs iR. Coulter (chairman), G. H. Nicholls (secretary), B. H. Horner, C. Leonardo, W. C. Kennedy, L. Flatt, A. Clark and N. G.