VOLUNTEER TERRITORIAL SYSTEM

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22355, 19 March 1938, Page 16

VOLUNTEER TERRITORIAL SYSTEM

A Force Below Strength

(sPEcrAXiv waimw yos the' y&XBS?)

{By “SERVICE.^

Recent events in Europe and the intense rearmament activity in Great Britain have forcibly drawn the attention of ! many of our citizens to the appalling inadequacy of our military forces. For some time it has been evident that the present defence force is a joke to that section of the community which does not realise its great responsibility and a source of grave concern to those who do-

What have we in control and what are the causes of our trouble?

(1) A Government made up largely of men who have in past years plainly stated their objection to military training.

(2) A defence policy which makes voluntary training unattractive and incapable of supplying the trained force which will be required in case of war.

(3) A Minister for Defence whose military knowledge does not give him much assistance.

(4) A staff Which has lost its enthusiasm.

(5) A carefree public, which will wait until it loses something before it prepares to protect itself and its possessions. The Government

The history of government policy regarding defence is one of ignorance, fear, political expediency, and niggardliness. Among our Parliamentarians there are men who have yet to be convinced that it is necessary to maintain peace by strong defence, and they detest a military force and military There are others who profess to realise that a defence force is necessary; but their efforts to make it efficient and attractive on a voluntary basis are negligible, as is their interest in those who are in training.

The Government has done little or nothing to lead public opinion to a proper understanding of our military needs and towards recruiting even the few men required in the latest organisation. At a time when the standard rate of a labourer’s pay is 18s a day and public works employees are said to average 20s a day, the willing soldier who leaves his employment to train for service and offer his life for his fellow citizens receives the trifle of 4s a day and army tucker. The trooper provides his horse and is. ordered to see that it is shod. He pays 10s for the privilege. The Government’s reply to suggestions for better pay and conditions is “The country cannot afford it.” Yet the country spends £5,000,000 a year on unemployment. Our territorials are refused an increase of pay for a' 10-days camp period; but a single man on public works may shovel clay at a pound a day and smile at “the boys who play soldiers.” It has been said that the Government has done much in the development of our defence forces. To its credit, in some ways it has. An increase in the annual vote, has improved the naval strength, and the development of the Air Force has been rapid and extensive. Two of our harbours have received attention; but where it would be necessary for the Government'to urge recruiting, there the‘Government has failed. The Government has made no real effort to put our territorial force on a satisfactory footing. In 1914 the finest specimens of manhood were found in our territorials. They enjoyed the life, the comradeship, the service, and the display, and appreciated their own efficiency. To-day we scarcely see a territorial about our streets. They realise that the public has no enthusiasm for peace-time soldiers. The Government is largely responsible for the state of public opinion; and the Government could, of its own initiative, by the creation of enthusiasm, by the provision of more pay, better uniforms, and suitable - recognition, create in all of our people a desire to serve in, or assist, the. defence forces. What is it that prevents the Government from making our military forces the pride of the community? Is it a political fear? The Minister for Defence Everyone who meets the Hon. F. Jones appreciates his sincerity and his desire to do the right thing. It has, however, been apparent that in regard to the defence portfolio he has been in some difficulty. Handicapped by close association with colleagues who have no enthusiasm for military training, and by want of personal military experience, he toils without inspiration, and can hardly be uninfluenced by colleagues who place politics first. It would seem that he has adopted the

“We would welcome suitable men who desire to take an » ‘Jy interest in military affairs,” said the Minister for Defence, after mK ' inspecting the Ist Battalion, Canterbury Regiment. And why?

proposal to make an army without personnel. Perhaps it is not the only way that money can be wasted. Staff One cannot help feeling that there is much to be desired here. At the outset, in 1910, a past Government obtained from England the services of a General Officer with officers and instructors who, after years of training in Imperial regiments, set a wonderful standard. It was a privilege to associate with them, and they gave full measure for their pay. With the assistance of a selected number of commissioned and non-commissioned officers •recruited from our own volunteers, those trained Imperial soldiers created a military force, part-volunteer and part conscripted, that was a credit to the Empire and to the Dominion. They helped to make the public proud of' the military forces. They made recruiting easy and training a pleasure. They built an efficient military force held its place with all troops of the Empire in 1914-15. Today, members of the staff are almost “casuals.” They are clerks most of their time. The barracks are empty. Exercises without troops-have reduced their efficiency. They work under conditions not found in any other part of the military world. They -have lost their keenness, their smartness. Their recruiting powers are nominal. Those who have served with regular troops oversea stand out in distinguished relief from those who have spent the greater part of the last 20 years filling in forms. Demoralising work for any soldier. The .staff badly needs a frequent interchange with officers and instructors of the Regular Army, a higher standard of discipline, and closer association in a military capacity with the general public, to which, it should, set a great example. A Care-free Public The public of the Dominion has drifted from all interest in local defence. Twenty years ago. the Dominion annually trained 30,000 territorials. They received free medical examination and physical training, attended healthy camps, and learned to take their place in the defence of their own country. Last year, staff, equipment, clothing, pay, and transport were provided for a territorial force of 12.000. Want of enthusiasm reduced the number attending annual camps to fewer than 4000 officers and men. la a country with a population of 1.500.000 with an export trade of £64.000,000, we could not find 4000 men willing to carry out a week’s military training. In consequence of such want of interest. the Government has reduced the number of trained troop? required to 8000. Old regiments have been virtually wiped -out or amalgamated! “composite” seems to be the new word. And this*-week”'the Minister for Defence has admitted that “the numbers at present enrolled were -below the total desired by'tbe Government.” A M great many belowl ' The general public will require to / indicate its desire if there is to be I any improvement. Encouragement and \ support must be given to those at present training. Those who have so far neglected to join regiments should be persuaded to do so. The young New Zealander loves military service; he seeks ..dventure. Hundreds have made application to join the Air Force. It is smart, efficient, and reasonably well paid, and has a uniform that fits and has an attractive colour. Under a better scheme, the Air Force would not be the only one with st waiting list. . _ , To maintain an efficient defence force and to express due appreciation of the services rendered by the men in training ‘should be the duty of every citizen. Unless we are prepared to face the facts and each do our part, we must* concede whatever an enemy demands. The Government must be told that the present scheme t is unsatisfactory. • In 1913-14 Great Britain spent in two services on defence £77,000,000. Some months ago the estimate for this year was £350,000,000, and the last week has seen the need for further increases; and yet we shelter under the protection of the Motherland, given at enormous cost and sacrifice, and read casually that the General Officer Commanding and has staff spent four and a half hours out in a launch examining the Lyttelton coastline for defence purposes. It is regrettable that such a nch country as the Dominion is should fail to do its share in Empire defence.