LOYAL TO REGIMENT

Evening Star, Issue 20556, 7 August 1930, Page 8

LOYAL TO REGIMENT

OTAGO H.G.O'S WILL CONTINUE TRAINING About sixty non-commissioned officers of the Otago Regiment attended a meeting in the Non-commissioned Officers’ Club last night. Lieutenantcolonel A. S. Falconer. D. 5.0., W.C., presided, . The Chairman said that the meeting had been called for the purpose of ascertaining the attitude of the noncommissioned officers towards the scheme for carrying on training during the suspension of compulsory training. The Otago Regiment had been formed in 1866, and since that time had passed through many , vicissitudes. It had established great traditions, and it would be more or less traitorous of those present if they allowed it to fall througn for lack of support. It was his opinion that the non-commissioned officers w r ould not fail in that respect. It was about a year ago that the possibility of “cuts” being made in the defence system had been first mooted. The department had originally been asked to consider a reduction in the vote of £50,000. Shortly afterwards the sum had been increased to £IOO,000, and close upon its heels there had come a suggested reduction of £275,000, which Bad now taken effect. It was necessary that there should be considerable “cuts” in the amount to be expended in defence, and this had resulted in the temporary suspension of the compulsory training system. There had now been formed voluntary cadres, consisting of non-commissioned officers and prospective non-commis-sioned officers. There was really no limit to the number who could serve, but those who would go to camp had been limited to twenty-two officers and seventy-two non-commissioned officers. There would have to be a selection in this direction, unless the conditions improved. Every non-commissioned officer and officer would be taken to camp if possible Regarding the training, said Lieutenant-colonel Falconer, the conditions would be very different from those which had obtained under the compulsory system. More advanced work would be dealt with, and the non-commissioned officer would have a higher standing in the regiment than ho had ever enjoyed before. The training would be to a great extent tactical, and it would be an excellent opportunity for them to increase their military knowledge. There had not yet been a programme of training mapped out. but it was proposed to nave if possible, one parade a week, and when a big tactical scheme was being worked out, perhaps two or three. These parades would be more like meetings. The cadre would be organised in skeleton on the same lines as the battalion had been under the compulsory system All the non-commissioned officers present then signified their intention of continuing to serve in the fegiment, and the following resolution was unanimously adopted:—“ That this meeting of non-commissioned officers of the Otago Regiment, realising the necessity of keeping the regiment alive ; and the necessity of being in a position to fulfil its obligations to the Mother Country should the occasion arise, affirms its intention of serving with the .regiment on a voluntary basis during the temporary suspension of compulsory training, provided that a return to the compulsory system is made not later than June 1, 1931.” The Chairman explained that the term of service in thr first instance would be for three years, and the noncommissioned officers, if then found suitable, would be eligible for re-en-gagement up to the age of thirty years. If a man wished to leave before his term was completed, however, he would have no difficulty in doing so. The camps would be run on similar conditions to those in the past. They would cover six days with the same rate of pay as formerly. It was arranged to hold the first parade next Monda> night, at 7.30. A question was raised regarding the possibility of the non-commissioned officers being clad in more tidy-looking trousers. Lieutenant-colonel Falconer stated that ho had sent forward a recommendation that they be supplied with riding breeches. He was doubtful if it would be successful, however, as there was an objection on the score of expense. He would like to see the men wearing the desired garments, as they were certainly smarter, but the “ overlaps ” wore what the New Zealand Expeditionary Force wore _ when it made nistory for its country in the Great War.

Sergeant M'Cartney stated that the non-commissioned officers felt that it was their duty to support the old regiment, and endeavour to carry it through in its time of need. Lieutenant-colonel Falconer said that the officers appreciate very much the spirit which had been shown.