ECONOMY IN DEFENCE

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 105, 30 October 1931, Page 8

ECONOMY IN DEFENCE

TRAINING CURTAILMENT

THE VOLUNTEER MOVE- ' . MENT

Brief reference to the curtailment in the volunteer training system in the cause of economy was made in the House of Eepresentatives last night when the Defence Department Estimates were under consideration.

Mr. A. Harris (Govt. Waitemata) asked the Minister of Defence if he really considered that the abolition of military camps,was an economy. He felt sure that the opportunity to go into camp was a big inducement to many men to join the volunteer force. Had the Minister given the matter the consideration which its importance entitled it to? Mr. Harris suggested that a cheese-paring policy such as had been introduced was not in the interests of the defence system. The territorial system had been cut out, and New Zealand was now practically without land defences. , ■ ; ■ The Minister of Defence (the Hon. J. G. Cobbe) assured Mr. Harris that the matter had been-Very carefully considered indeed. The canips had simply been cut out for the time being, due to the efforts which were being made towards reducing expenditure. Surely members must recognise the _need_ for cutting down expenses in all directions; this was one of the economies that had become urgently necessary. _ General Burgess had visited the various districts and had made arrangements' so that a certain amount of voluntary training would continue. The Minister remarked that the volunteer movement was growing very satisfactorily at present. ' ': "'' "' ■'■"■'' •