DEFENCE "GUTS"

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 139, 16 June 1930, Page 10

DEFENCE "GUTS"

SYSTEM IMPERILLED

NATIONAL EMERGENCIES

WHAT ENGLAND

EXPECTS

(By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post.")

DUNEDIN, This Day

The proposed changes in the defence system in the interest of economy were discussed at a meeting of the Otago Officers ' Club.

Lieutenant-Colonel J. G.-JcfEery, M.C., explained that the annual grant to officers' .clubs had been cancelled. Sucli action would have a disastrous effect on the activities of officers' clubs throughout New Zealand, with the result that these clubs would no longer be able to fulfil the purpose of their existence by providing a means of education for officers who, in the event of a future war, would be called upon to' train and lead the manhood of the country. The action of the Government in . abolishing the grant placed the Otago Officers' Club in a peculiarly difficult position, as owing 'to the fact that the grant had been paid over a period of years, and that future payments could,be reasonably expected, the club had taken up a lease of the premises at present occupied until November, 1931. Without a Government grant the club would find it difficult if not impossible to continue the lease. Tho value of officers' clubs to the country was unquestionable, because the main object in the constitution of these clubs was not social or recreational, but was defl-dtely for the, purpose v of military education of the officers who would be called upon to assume command in the event of a national emergency, said Colonel Jeffery. It could not be. denied t] it the Government was under the strongest moral obligation to assist and aid in every way the Territorial organisation in place of the old Yoluntcer system. .. . . SYSTEM MAY BE WEECXED. The speaker also touched upon the precarious position in which Territorial units were situated it the present time. Notification had been received by all unit commanders that all . grants for regimental bands as well as unit cajiitation grants (2s per Territorial and Is per Senior Cadet) had been abolished. This,.combined with the proposed drastic reduction in the" Defence. Vote, which included the abolition of training camps, would have a most (destructive effect and would probably result in the complete wrecking of the prcsent'systcrn of military training. ' / The people of the Dominion could be roused and brought to realise the disastrous results of the policy of the present Government. It was impossible to think that the people of this country would consent to the- wanton destruction of an organisation which had produced in the time of the Empire's greatest need a division that established a reputation, second to none, and of which New Zealand was justly proud. In the event of a national emergency the Imperial Government would rely on New Zealand to furnish a similar livision, and the speaker could not .believe that the loyal citizens of New Zealand would be content to allow their Government to destroy.the only means the' country, possesses of fulfilling.its.obligations to the Mother Country and tho Empire as a whole. ' ....