NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE FORCES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXX, Issue 14982, 30 April 1909, Page 9

NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE FORCES.

10 TEE EDITOR. Sir, —A very great interest is being taken at this present time in tho ques tion of the reorganisation of the New Zealand Defence Forces. In Auckland and Wellington and throughout the northern cities in New Zealand and in some places in Otago, meetings have recently been held under the auspices of the ’National League, at which resolutions have been passed favouring compulsory service in New Zealand, as being not only the only reliable system, but as being simpler, less expensive and less wasteful of the time; of tho soldier and the employer than the Volunteer service has been found to be. As a first line of defence the Volunteer system is altogether undependable, aud the effect, a 6 many years *of experience even in New\ Zealand has shown, is to encourage a large percentage of the people to neglect the duty of bear-' ing arms in defence. The representations of the late Defence Council left ai definite impression also that the Volunteer Service has been found wanting and has had its last trial; indeed, the Volunteers now are paid in order to get them to take the field, and even under this aid it is not possible to get Volunteers to take the field for more than three or four days. It is felt that action is needed to determine the present Government to thoroughly investigate this mattey and to give effect to the opinions of its most competent advisers in_ reconstructing its defence forces, and it is thought desirable that Christchurch should hold

a preliminary meeting of those inter* estod, with a vjew to discuss and to determine a suitable line of action, either* by a publio mfeeting or otherwise, ~ by which a resolution could be obtain- ( ed from thopeople. I suggest a meeting in the Chamber of Commerce, >ay, after the municipal elections, in the evening. I beg; therefore, through your -'olumns.to solicit opinions and advice. ■. —I am, etc.. H. HOBDAY.