OUR FORGES

Grey River Argus, 23 October 1915, Page 7

OUR FORGES

HON. JAMES ALLEN Ojbt CONSCRIPTION

OPPOSITION TO LOCAL CAMPS

RETURN OF COLONEL SMYTH.

The Hon. ,Tarne s Allen, Minister of Defence, told a reporter recently that the appointment of staff officers for the New Zealand Kitle Brigade had not yet been finally determined, but it was almost certain -that Colonel V. ,?. Smyth, formerly O/neer Commanding Otago Military District, and later of Canterbury Military District, would be given a high command, and go fo the front with the brigade, Colonel Smyth arrived in Auckland from London on 1 Monday last. Tlie special tunnelling company nowtraining at Auckland was far above :the prescribed strength, and would leave for the Old Country in about six weeks' time with no fewer than about live months' reinforcements over ( strength. This meant that men for the Reinforcements would not be, required for five months. The now company I would be attached to the Royal Engineers — an honourable position — ami would probably serve in Kurope. I The Imperial authorities had been asked to lend New Zealand seven or nine experincd army officers, who, al-.tboiigh'iii\'apdei^'^il^yr-jHifrve^^rVice would be able to assist in .training recruits. An encouraging reply had been received, and there was a good prospect of several military instructors coming to New Zealand., ' On the subject of local camps the Minister said he did not consider it practicable to establish local training camps, as it would be impossible to achieve the same measure of efficiency which had marked the 'raining of our soldiers at Trentham. The training staff had been working throughout at its highest point of pressure, and the supply of experienced «officers for training purposes was limited. The incentive to recruiting provided by local training camps must be substituted in a different form. Mr Allen said the volunteer sytem had proved adequate up to the present, and he hoped .it would continue to prove so We must win this war, and if absolutely necessary, conscription must come, btu it would never be Avith his wish, for he would like to sec volunteers con. tinuc to offer themselves at the altar of duty. The .minimum age had been raised and the minimum height lowered, thus opening up another field for unmarried men who had previously been barred.