FUTURE TRAINING

Evening Post, Volume XCIX, Issue 92, 19 April 1920, Page 6

FUTURE TRAINING

NEED FOB PREPAREDNESS DEFENCE, NOT "MILITARISM"

SIR JAMES ALLEN'S APPEAL.

Feeling references to the' need for the adequate training of the > New Zealandl Citizen Army to defend these shores if occasion should arise were made at the farewell dinner tendered to Sir James Allen by_ officers- of the Defence Department on Saturday night.

PRODUCING CITIZENS OF HIGHEST TYPE.

Sir James Allen, in responding to the toast of his health, said that for many reasons he w#a sorry he was going. He was'sorry he could not be here to help during the next year or two to fight'the battle that would have to be fought against reflex actions which had taken place since the war in the minds of many of our people. They had to fight against it, not because they were socalled "militarists," but because they were earnest in their endeavour to sea that, .whatever might occur, in the future, they should not be caught unprepireaVfor any contingency. (Applause.) He did not look upon the future of the. Defence Department in New Zealand as "a military machine, but as a. machine which would produce that which was most useful to New Zealand, whether it was in the creation of citizens of the highest type, or whether.it was in rendering service such as they as soldiers had been rendering, apart altogether from selfish interests—for the good of the community itself. If the public looked back even to the period of the war and since, to the troublous time the country had gone through during the epidemic, they would see that the Defence Department of New Zealand did not fail to rise to a civilian and humanitarian aspect. (Applause.) During those years the public had" help and protection from the Defence Department in full measure; its organisation was readj. He hoped" that would not be forgotten. Their business was not to create a military spirit, in this country; it was to bring up a sound, healthy, good-Eying, clean-mouthed he specially emphasised that), higbvmind^ed citizen, to try and create the perfect citizen. The . Defence Department had opportunities and machinery which no other Department possessed for the training of men physically, mentally, arid morally,' to make them bettev members of the community in being unselfish individuals". Service in the Expeditionary Force had been the one solid example of unselfishness in service to the community, and it was that lesson of unselfishness they wanted to hand on to the public for use in the future. (Applause.) NECESSITY FOE PREPARATION.

He did not wish to neglect the other aspects of their work. After all, the citizens of this country were, probably as loyal'as, if not more loyal than, those of other countries, they wished to render service to the country and to the •ooihmunity, and they wanted an assurance that if the country was attacked it .would meet that attack with ability, adequate supplies and energy, and with preparation, so that there was no possibility of our being unable to deal effectually with any situation that might arise. The public were prone to forget the necessity, for preparation, and though he could not be of use now in educating them there were others in the community who knew the need, and it was a duty to let the public know that it would be fatal to sink into an attitude of lethargy, that they must rouse themselves lest they become the prey of those, who would be glad to defeat and hold us in their grip. They wanted to create mentally sound citizens. They who belonged to the Department, who followed out the lessons learned in the field, would, he believed, render the greatest service to the eoiintry. They had created departments and organisations which, though not perfect, were an example to others in New Zealand and might be so used. . .

IDEALS TO AIM AT. They rftust, he proceeded, educate public opinion, which for the time being would probably be unsound; they must never surrender their convictions, and, as had been proved in the late war, he felt that, if they were honest to themselves and to thir country, and they hung Sn to their convictions, they vjould' come out all right in ,the end, and that those who' had been their enemies would turn round and be their greatest friends. (Applause.) He was going away confident that those who had served would continue to serve their country during the ensuing years, and that when he returned from his period of office as High Commissioner he would find they had created an organisation here which would not' only be a credit fi-ofti the point of "view of insurance of the country's safety but also an example to the public of what could be done in elevating the civilian life of the community, i They could do a great deal, and if they stuck to it he was certain that the Department which was-abused to-day as a "militarist" and "red tape" Department would he recognised in the days to come as the most humane and beneincent Department that existed in New Zealand. "I do not want to encourage the cultiva.tion of the military spirit," he concluded, "but I do want that, our young New Zealanders'who are growing up should be given sufficient training to enable them to defend their country without loss of time, and that as a result of your efforts they will be made more vigorous, manly, cleantorigued, and cleaner in mind and spirit. (Applause.)- If that is done then I am satisfied you will receive the reward you deserve."

"GIVE THEM A WINNING CHANCE."

Major-General Sir A. H. Russell, who commanded the New Zealand Division in France, urged that the Permanent Staff should set an example to the Territorial Force which the Territorials could try and live up to. ' If the Permanent Staff did that they of the Territorial Force would play up to them, and he was sure that the people would then realise the true value and pure pleasure of universal service. (Applause.)

}srigadier-G«neral Mejdruni, who commanded the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade m Palestine, and has since, reverted to civilian life, said that now the war was over thers was a feeling rather of indifference regarding the training of the Territorials. He thought they should be so trained and equipped that the Territorial Force, if ever it was called on to defend the country, would be given a winning chance. (Applause.) It could never have J.hat unless it was -properly trained and equipped". (Applause.)