Political Leaders Argue About Abolition Of C.M.T.

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28541, 21 March 1958, Page 12

Political Leaders Argue About Abolition Of C.M.T.

(New Zealand Press Association)

W ELLINGTON. March 20. “New Zealand will honour all her defence obligations to the Commonwealth, to the United Nations, and to any other regional defence partnership. The coming abolition of compulsory military training will make no difference,” said the Acting-Prime Minister (Mr Skinner) tonight, commenting on an Opposition caucus resolution calling for the continuation of compulsory military training.

The resolution, passed unanimously today, “strongly” condemned the Government’s proposal to abolish compulsory military training. Commenting on the resolution, the Leader ,of the Opposition (Mr Holyoake) said that trouble spots still existed, and the hostilities in Indonesia were such that any slackening In defence preparations was untimely and unwise. He hoped compulsory military training would be continued on a revised scale, as set out in the National Government’s White Paper. "Desire to Economise”

"It is alarming that the security of our country is to be undermined because of political considerations,’’ Mr Holyoake said. “Not the least of these is the desire to economise to offset the loss of revenue resulting from the Government’s extravagant income tax concession.” The Government appeared to believe that the territorial forces could not only be retained but expanded on a voluntary basis, Mr Holyoake said. But this, as experience showed, was not merely wishful thinking but dangerous thinking.. New Zealand’s, unpreparedgess in 1939 and again in 1949 ’ could be directly attributed to the same belief. “As the late Sir Howard Kippenberger said some 16 months ago, the voluntary system was long tried and found wanting. Moreover, it should ’not be left to the few to undertake the job which should be shared by every citizen."

New Zealand was expected, in the event of war, to make available a division of 23.000 men, with ancilliaries, said Mr Holyoake. Obviously, under the Government’s present plans there Would be a serious and possibly even a fatal delay in providing such a force.

Mr Skinner’s Views The ActingfPrime Minister said that the Government was setting up a permanent, well-equipped, mobile force that will enable New Zealand to meet its commitments much more quickly and efficiently than under earlier plans. | ’ Hl “In his statement the Leader of the Opposition points out that if war breaks New Zealand will be expected to make available a division of 23.000 men, with ancillaries. But. thanks to

the compulsory military training scheme introduced by the last Labour Government, we now have enough trained reservists to fill this quota two or three times over," Mr Skinner said. “And they will be available for many years to come. What we do need plenty of is up-to-date equipment, both for training and for use.

“The Government is fully aware of the many trouble spots in the world today, and Is not abolishing compulsory military training from any premature sense of security, but simply to make way for some realistic and efficient defence measures, which will be explained in more detail at the proper time; ’’Mr Holyoake surprises me when he refers to the present situation in Indonesia as justifying the retention of compulsory military training. Does he desire New Zealand to intervene in what is purely a domestic conflict? If so. on whose side should we intervene?

“Finally,” said Mr Skinner, "I want to remind Mr Holyoake that this Government is determined to enable New Zealand to play its full part on the side of freedom, as it did so successfully under ’ tnfe last Labour Government. It is worth noting, that of. the Cabinet's 18 members, no fewer than JO are former servicemen."