NEW EFFICIENCY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 13, 16 January 1940, Page 8

NEW EFFICIENCY.

ENGLAND'S ARMIES.

OLD METHODS CHANGED.

MR. PHASER'S IMPRESSIONS

The picture of an England united as never ln-fore to fi.L'ht in a war it had not wanted, hut with every section of the community determined to stamp out an aggressor that had made peace a , mockery was painted hy the Hon. Peter I Kramer in hi* address at the civic recep--1 lion at the Concert Chamlier this after- ! noon. In Ktigland lie had seen a jicople who •showed no sign of war hatred or jingoism, or animosity against the mass of t'lie (Serinim people, said Mr. Fraser. Pliey had set themselves calmly and without elation, hut -with determination, to a national task. Kven in the army there was no love of blood and slaughter. There was not one who did not wish that, t'he war would end immediately, hut in a way that would ensure peace in the future. '"Tliat is what the whole Umpire, witli a unanimity that was never seen liefore. is fighting for." he said. "No man or woman knows when the war will descend U|*»n them from the air. England expected large-sea'e manoeuvres when war broke out. with dest ruction and t«lii lighter hurt ling through the air. Hut it has not. come yet. and every day England becomes stronger." I he traiiisport of (ire it Britain's Army to France without the loss of a single man was cited hv Air. Fraser as the first manifestation of the new efficiency that wart infused into the army. One could not meet the beads of the war services without being impressed by their albility, efficiency and modern methods. After seeing fSeneral Ironside, he could say that never were the British forces in better hands than at the present time. Xever was more consideration »hown for the lives and comfort of the 'men, while the relationship between tho officer* and men had never been clower than it was now. "The old methods of mass training ihave gone,"' said Mr. Fraser. "In Britain's army of to-day the men are treated as individuals; the welfare of the army depends on individual initiative, enterprise and The old drill sergeant is in the process of liquidation. No longer arc men shouted at and ordered a lion t for no apparent reason.

"Tht* tragedy is that the nation lia* had to organise to such a peak of efficiency: but if it had not done so it would have been impossible for democracy to continue to exist," said Mr. Fraser.