DEFENCE DEBACLE

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 43, 19 August 1930, Page 11

DEFENCE DEBACLE

NO CADRE SYSTEM YET

Although the passing of the Defence (Temporary) Amendment Bill has fulfilled their worst fears, Territorial officer's are: not likely to abandon their, efforts to maintain the compulsory system and to place New Zealand in a reasonable position to discharge her obligations for her own defence and for the assistance of the Empire in time of danger (states the "New Zealand Herald"). This does, not necessarily mean, that the cadres will be all that a spineless staff pretends, nor does it mean their participation in voluntary movements which the Governor-General "may recognise." Although the officers and non-com-missioned officers of most units have agreed to remain in cadres, it is improbable that they will consent to continue indefinitely under the present circumstances. Members of cadres are in no 'sense volunteers. They have remained solely with the hope of keeping their units alive, but they have grave doubts whether the Government has any appreciation of the significance of that purpose. Actually the cadres are military bodies only iv name. No scheme, of training has been offered them. They do not know what to do or what is expected of them. This, in the opinion of several senior officers, should have been the first duty of headquarters as soon as the suspension of training was adopted. Instead, orders were issued for the return of equipment. "Wo are bewildered," said an officer, "but perhaps not so bewildered as headquarters, seeing that there is every appearance of the whittled vote being almost completely absorbed by the salaries of the staff, leaving practically nothing for the small amount of training cadres could do. I am wondering if the cadres under these circumstances will be able to function at all.

"And now Parliament has decided that voluntary organisations are to be recognised. The situation would be laughable if it were not so serious, because volunteer units will cost more per head to train than the Territorials, and obviously there will be no money for them."