FULL-TIME CAMP?

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 307, 29 December 1942, Page 6

FULL-TIME CAMP?

MEN OF 41-45 GROUP

POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES

Every man in the 41-45 age group is wondering what New Zealand will require of him. Will he have to go into camp—and stay there? Will be have to go overseas? There has been no definite indication of the policy of the Government, certainly no clear statement of intentions, but there is much talk, partially informed and otherwise, and it is a commonplace to hear family men drawn in the recent "father and son" ballot that they don't believe they will be required to serve in the army on a permanent basis. The belief is growing that the Government has some idea, as yet incompletely formulated, that the majority of men in the 41-45 group found capable of bearing arms would best assist by undergoing training of a military character without going into camp as part of the standing defence establishment. They could be trained in the use of small arms, and even artillery, at evening parades and week-end exercises, much on the methods employed in training the Home Guard.

In short, a reversion to the methods employed under the former Territorial training system, with adaptations suited to the needs of the time, may possibly be resorted to. This system would have the advantage of training men to bear arms while leaving them in industry. Ijarge Body of Instructors New Zealand to-day has a large and efficient body of instructors, capable of giving thousands of men useful instruction in musketry machine-gun work, and the use of artillery. By reducing ceremonial drill to a minimum, cutting out everything that might be characterised as military frills and windowdressing, this staff could teach all the militarily capable men of 41-45 how to go about the business of defending the country in any sudden emergency.

On every hand it is apparently taken for granted that the dark shadow of Japan's threat has moved away from these islands. The position to-day is far different from what it was twelve months ago, when all the peoples in the Pacific area were recoiling from the shock of Japan's blow at Pearl Harbour and her sudden declaration of war. To-day it is no secret that most informed people at that time believed New Zealand to be "wide open." General mobilisation of the Territorial Force had not been effected, there was no organised system of anti-aircraft defence such as exists to-day, and all seemed dark and doubtful. The year 1942 brought into being a military machine such as New Zealand had never envisaged. Camps sprang up everywhere. Coastal batteries were improved and strengthened. As yet unrevealed strengthening of the Royal New Zealand Air Force made everyone sleep a little easier. "Battle for New Zealand" Then came our first glimpse of Uncle Sam's strong right arm reaching out into the Pacific. American installations sprang up almost overnight. The Battle of the Coral Sea was fought and won. Thinking people looked at a global map, noted how near to our own shores this action had been fought, sighed with relief and said: "That was the Battle for New Zealand." Then came the assault on the Solomons, the longdrawn battle of Guadalcanal- and Admiral Halsey's world-resounding naval victory.

New Zealand has since been told how her sons are standing guard at Pacific outposts, in large numbers, while the division in the Middle East -helps prod Rommel back to the shores of Tripoli. Airmen from this Dominion have tasted blood in the Solomons scrap. The responsibility of playing our part in the Pacific by garrisoning vital areas has been gladly accepted. Two Areas to Reinforce The commitment to reinforce the Second N.Z.E.F. in both the Middle East and the Pacific area means that reinforcements will have to leave, to replace wastage, as and when required. If the war be protracted that commitment will strain the Dominion's resources of young manhood. So far, the Government has not announced any intention of sending overseas soldiers younger than 21 or older than 41, although technically, everyone in uniform must serve wherever he may be ordered. *

Concurrently the air force continues to make heavy demands. Our fighter and bomber pilots, navigators, wireiess-air gunners and ground personnel overseas must be continually reinforced, So. too must the considerable body of New Zealanders m the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and the Fleet Air Arm I bo putting two and two together remembering that numbers of men in their age-group have to stand tintoss, to reach the taxation ceiliiFg i a ?® morsel esa commissioner the majority of 41-45's feel fairlv confident that, with the graveX danger past, they will not be askld to provide anything more than a sort of glorified Home Guard Thev suspect that they may go into camn but only for a month, or, at longest' three, and that the remainder nf their military training will be carried out m those leisure hours previouslv devoted to the garden, bowls golf or the cinema. is ' S°«