THE VOLUNTEER SYSTEM.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXIX, Issue 7726, 20 February 1909, Page 2

THE VOLUNTEER SYSTEM.

A SWEEPING CONDEMNATION.

WELLINGTON, February 19. The Volunteer system of New Zealand has i'or some time past been subject to si dea] of criticism, generally f rnhi tho man who knows nothing about it, Tho expert, of course, takes no notice of armchair criticisms, but he at times mentions matters that have- a distinct bearing on the subject and are more damaging than the irritating remarks of those who know nothing. In aiversation with a medical man yesterday a reporter was made to believe i that,' although the Volunteer foroe is at a fair strength m proportion to the ble-bodied male pop,n ! -a«d although it was fairty' efficient from the point' of view of mere ceremonial demonstration, only about two-thirds (m the opinion of tho medical man) were physically fit. As an ex-Army man, the physician alleges that it was ridiculous to train men who had not been medically examined and who would on any severe occasion "crack up," To carry on m his own words: "There is no occupation which requires so great a physical strain as that of soldiering during war time. The only possible excuse for the enlistment of volunteers is that they will bo called upon to doffind tli'.'ir country by force of arms. July the tit'survive during an urdivmi« compaign. In my opinion at leas* two-thirds of tho Volunteers ot Wellington would be unnblo to face the stress of a hard fought campaign. The idea that a man has to face only the bullets, the shells and tho bayonets of an enemy is, of course, idiotic. What he has to fear more than these is the onslaught of disease. No Volunteer m New Zealand is expected to undergo a medical examination for service. A soldier is forecd to undergo such examination, and m my experience all physically weak applicants ar invariahl'v rpjoctiHt, Ji 1 » supreme commander having medical knowledge were by any chance to be commandant of the forces ol New Zealand he would insist that only the fit carried arms. My point is that the physically unfit m times of war are not only a danger but an absolute nuisance. My further point is that m the first place a sick man is 1:0 use as a fighting machine, next that when ha is dead he is simply clay that must be buried, and therefore reduces the efficient strength of an army. I would insist, were I able, that every man who is enlisted into tlie Volunteer Army of New Zealand should be hs rigorously examined as is the applicant for admission into any European army. At present we are admitting a large number of men who would be wiped out as inefficient m a fortnight, and it isn't right."