COMPULSORY TRAINING.

Mataura Ensign, 22 May 1909, Page 4

COMPULSORY TRAINING.

WHAT IS NECESSARY. The people- who, like Mr D. McLaren and Mr I'. O'Regan, violently object to compulsory military training, sum to forget that the legal machinery -essary to put into force some such sys torn already exists (says a correspondent of the 'Dominion'). Even a cursory study of the New Zealand Defence Act of 1880 will show that the statement is correct, and a close examination of the Act will reveal the fact thai all able-bodied men between the ages of 17 and oo years of age, with certain exceptions, are liable to be called on to serve their country. All that seems necessary to bring the Act into uniformity with present needs is to amend it in such a way that the length of training each year shall be increased to whatever may he deemed necessary. Here, then, \xtt have the machinery, which, if slightly improved and set in motion, would give us a citizen army in a few months. And what would happen if the (inventor was to call out the militia? The immediate result would be that the existing volunteer corps would be Hooded by ex-volunteers and others anxious to avoid being enrolled ill the militia regiments. Indeed, all that would appear to make volunteering a success is to enforce the Defence Act as regards the militia. Proper or. ganisation and officering of the militia would be the great problem for the Defence Minister to solve. An efficient general staff and of staffs in defence districts would have to be created, and

a proper scheme of defence would hav.> to be formulated, and would haw to be tested on mobilisation being carried out. The bases of supplies (including ammunition factories) instead of being situated on the coast would have to lie formed in the centre of the island. Heretofore no voice has been raised against the inertia of those in authority, hut tho merest military tyro may discern their inability to cope with tin position of affairs. At least the 20,0(11 volunteers enrolled might have been decently organised and supplied with i the requisite equipment. The orgaiiisa : tion must begin at the top. We must place in command soldiers with aptitude for war, who have been trained in their profession. We shall need on the staffs tacticians and strategists, men who have a military eye for country, and who understand something more than the niceties for ceremonial drill. It may be asked, "Where are we to get such men?" There are to 1m- found among the artillery and mounted infantry officers who have a grasp of tactics, and there are many more who with proper tuition would make usef ti members of a staff. All that is wanted is to mobolise about 100,000 men, volunteers and militia, and start In equip and drill them under a staff of instruc tors, imported, if possible, from India, where you at present find the Rritlsli soldier in greatest perfection. Probably Lord Kitchener would delight <o nominate for us a General Staff which would organise the neulv-raised army, and make it worthy of wearing the King's uniform.