FEAR OF UNPREPAREDNESS

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 38, 13 August 1930, Page 13

FEAR OF UNPREPAREDNESS

(By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Pojt.") AUCKLAND, This Day. "I never thought the old battalion would ever wind up," said Lieut.Colone] T. H. Dawson, officer command-1 ing the first battalion, Auckland Kegiment (Countess of Eanfurly's Own.), at 1 a reunion of past and present members last evening. There was an attendance of 450. I

Lieut .-Colonel Dawson said the unit lind always maintained the best traditions right from early volunteer times down to the present day. Pie extended thanks for the loyal support/given by all officers and men during the three years ho had commanded the battalion. All the officers had risen from the ranks, and every man in the unit had pulled his full weight. - "1" cannot tell you much about the future, but I assure you that the abolition oi: the Territorial movement is a very great blow to me. The military spirit is in the blood of all "New Zealand men. The pity is that should trouble come in the future we. may not be ready. Ido not think peace is permanent. When we all think alike we may get peace, but not until Even with compulsory military training we were not fully ready last time, and without military training we cannot he ready next time. It is to be hoped that the authorities will think better in the near future, and let us have our military training back again. All you men have been through the mill, and I think it is only right that the others who come after you should' do their share, too. A voluntary non-oommis-sioncd officers' class-is to be continued, but as far as the rank and file of the battalion go, we will have to close down."

The speaker paid a fine tribute to the adjutant, Captain J. G. C. Wales, who new transfers to King's College.