STUBBORN SILENCE

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 135, 5 December 1930, Page 8

STUBBORN SILENCE

WRECKING, DEFENCE SYSTEM \ "The process of wrecking the defence system of New Zealand has now advanced so far that when the present stage of demolition is complete there will ; remain only the Minister himself, * a few privileged officers at headquarters, '. and the secondary school Cadets," says the "New Zealand Herald." ; "Positive assurances were given •to Parliament that the Government proposed 'to merely suspend compulsory military training for 12 months rather than abolish it altogether,' so that there would be 'an opportunity of testing the effect; of suspension.' That was the explanation given by the Minister of Defence: the Minister of Eailways described it as an experiment 'to temporarily abandon' the principle of compulsory training and test the principle of volunteering. The rejection of the amending Bill—which it had insisted was not necessary—was used by the Government as an excuse for abandoning the proposed voluntary training, though the only reasonable interpretation of Parliament's action was that ' compulsory t:f ining should be continued. That was admitted by Mr. "Veitcli ; to be the only alternative if the voluntary system did not* prove success- : fuL The Government has deliberately condemned it to failure, and'has deter- ■ mined to prevent a return to the former system by destroying the nucleus : of Territorial officers, and non-commis- ; sioned officers, which cannot be preserv- , ed since it has been deprived of training camps. The question may well be asked from what source does the Government derive its authority to introduce such revolutionary changes in national policy. The United Party gave a pledge that it would maintain the Territorial system; the Government has insisted that its policy is no more than a temporary modification. Yet its actions demonstrate the insincerity of its assurances. Perhaps the most sinister feature is its persistent refusal to say definitely what is being done. At tho ; end of September, the Minister of Defence said ' it was proposed to train GOO officers and 2000 non-commissioned officers of the Territorials; also to con- , tinuo the training of the secondary school Cadets.' Tho first part of that undertaking has already been repudiated. Never has the Government promised to resume compulsory training next year—tho Territorial year begins on Ist June—and by reduction of the permanent, staff, it is evidentl)' preparing to make resumption impossible. Systematically and deliberately, tho United Government has set out to wreck tlio national defence organisation for no other discernible motive thnn to please its Socialist allies. It has been repeat- ' edly challenged to justify its actions: its stubborn silence permits of only one interpretation." Fncial injuries were sustained by out? of the workmen engaged on tho new ] Mount Victoria Tunnel yesterday afternoon as a result of being struck by aoino of the contents of a cement gun. He was removed to the Hospital by the City Ambulance.