R.S.A. President Defends Military Training Scheme

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28154, 18 December 1956, Page 18

R.S.A. President Defends Military Training Scheme

The military training scheme was defended by the president, Mr G. D. Hattaway, at a meeting of the executive of the Christchurch Returned Services’ Association last evening. Mr Hattaway, who reported attending the passing out of the twenty-second intake of trainees at Burnham Military Camp, said one wondered whether a stocktaking should be taken of the system. All had to pay a tribute to the senior officers of the Territorial Force —Army, Navy, and Air Force, he said. “I think in New Zealand at present we have the greatest band of officers, from the point of view of experience, we have ever had. Our system of training began before they had lost their interest and we are now reaping the benefit of their experience.” Mr Hattaway said he had talked to trainees about the scheme. A census

taken indicated that 90 per cent, of Army trainees believed the scheme had personally been beneficial to them, 6 per cent, were uncertain, saying they might have derived as much benefit from some other activity, and only 4 per cent, “just did not like it.”

Some trainees started out without much liking for the system, but once they began their training they were “all for it” and took n.c.o. classes and commissions, said Mr Hattaway. Those who did their training in the navy were volunteers and he would say that in this service all the trainees believed the system was worth-while. Of the air force, Mr Hattaway said he could not speak a great deal. It was realised that a good deal of training and education was needed for a young man to become a pilot, and much of the work was done on a voluntary basis in the schools. “I have come to the conclusion that our policy has been a wise one,” said Mr Hattaway. “It has been for the benefit of our youth and for the nation. Military training is an assurance that what two generations have been through will never occur again.”