THE TERRITORIAL SCHEME

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3197, 22 September 1917, Page 8

THE TERRITORIAL SCHEME

DEMAND FOR SUSPENSION

SIR JAMES ALLEN SAYS "NO"

After reading a letter on the subject Mr. A. S. Malcolm yesterday afternoon asked the Minister of Defence whether "seeing that our • Expeditionary Force system of training makes ample provision for the satisfactory training of our forces, and therefore does not need supplementing, seeing the serious way in ■which the Territorial system interferes with industries, especially seeing the great annual cost of the Territorial system, and seeing the number of men absorbed on its staff when men are needed at the front, will the Minister during the war suspend the 'lemtorial system, or at the very least make those 'engaged, in far-miner pursuits exempt from its provisions? Mr. Malcolm also called attention to the reported failure of officers to attend parades. Sir .Tames Allen said that he would, it furnished with particulars, have inquiries made regarding the alleged failure of officers to attend parades, lie thought it would be a fatal mistake to suspend the Territorial system. Mr. Buick: No good. No use at all. Waste of time. . . Sir James Allen: "I am not sure that it is the training received under the 'territorial system that has made the .New Zealand Expeditionary Force what it is to-dav." He said that he did not contend 'that evening parades of Territorials were satisfactory. He had suggested that these evening parades be done _ away with, and that one weeks training in. each year be substituted.. Unless tho training were kept up it would not be possible to keep up the Territorial I'orce in tho future, nor could we keep up-tlie Expeditionary Force. Sir. Poland: It could be resumed alter ■ iir\fames Allen: I venture to say that if you do away with the . Territorial Force and with the organisation you will have difficulty in restoring it. -Every man engaged in an industry fioin which he could not easily, be spared could get exemption by asking lor it.