MILITARY TRAINING

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 176, 25 June 1938, Page 13

MILITARY TRAINING

COMPULSION ADVOCATED. ADDRESS TO LUNCH CLUB. An interesting address was given by Mr J. M. Gordon to members of the Citizens’ Lunch Club yesterday on the matter of compulsory military training. In the early days, the speaker said, huge armies were kept, but there was nothing of a real national character about the training. Referring to the wars which were waged between the Prussian and French armies as far back as 1793, Mr Gordon said France was forced to form a strong army to protect herself. Surrounded by enemies, 6he was never sure of the time when she would be called on to defend herself. The Prussians were regarded as the greatest exponents of the art of war, and at one time large numbers of them fought with the English forces against the American colonies. At the Battle of Jena, about 1810, the Prussians fought against Napoleon, but were practically annihilated in a fierce battle. The necessity of vanquishing the French leader was recognised and at the Battle of the Nations the Prussians dealt Napoleon his death-blow. Tlie Prussian Army was lead by that great militarist Clausewitz. The majority of military men would agree that the only man who had learned a real lesson from the wars fought between the two nations was that man. Herr Hitler was one of the followers of Clausewitz’s theories, that the man who had a sound knowledge of military and economic matters and could use that knowledge in a question of diplomacy was a real leader. Undoubtedly. Hitler chose the precise moment to enter Austria. —France was without a proper Cabinet and Britain was occupied with other matters. Everything was in his favour at that particular time. The teaching of Yon Clausewitz had also been Carried into Japan, the speaiker said. A battle which was fought in Clausewitz’s method and was so successful was when a Japanese army practically annihilated the Russian Army.

Military training had become nationalised, the . speaker added. The Germans were imbued with the matter of military training and the Italian people were now following the example set. There was no doubt that the opportune time was approaching for Germany to take what she had always wanted—^colonies. “In New Zealand we all dearly love to be considered as a virile outpost of the Empire,” said Mr Gordon. “If we are a virile outpost of the Empire. God help the Empire,” ho added. If the British Navy wis defeated New Zealand would* have to look after herself. Voluntary military training had failed in New Zealand and compulsory training should be reverted to so that the country would be able to look after itself. We had a slight -taste of compulsory training before the War. The method had proved of great benefit to the country and the men. At the outbreak of the War New Zealand was abl,e to put a small partly-trained force in the field almost immediately. The defence of New Zealand was at the “Noah’s Ark stage” and New Zealand at present was like a crab without a shell, the speaker asserted. Mr Gordon answered several questions made by tho members and a vote of thanks was accorded him. The chair was occupied by Mr G. W. Mills who welcomed Mr C. Errington,’ of Newcastle-on-Tyne, England, and Mr N. Jones, of Wellington. Mr H. Rainforth was proposed as a new member.