COMPULSORY TRAINING

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 31 March 1930, Page 6

COMPULSORY TRAINING

"A WELCOME CHANGE" GOVERNMENT'S POLICY APPROVED f CIIIMSTCIIUKCII OPINIONS (]iy Telegraph—Spocial to "Tho Mail") CUIUS rCtIURCH, 29th March. General approval of the proposed change in the Government's defence policy was expressed in the city to-day (says the "Star"), liven men closely identified with military affairs being of opinion that the present compulsory military training system was not satisfactory. For some time post there has been a growing body of opinion in favour of the abolition of compulsory training. A considerable amount of pressure has been brought to bear on the Government by religious and other bodies with a view to (ho abolition of the compulsory system, and the announcement made to-day that the Government is contemplating a complete change in ils defence policy is believed to be in accordance with public opinion on the question. Sir Francis Hoys, .President of the Canterbury Aero Club, when interviewed, said the Defence Department must be the best judges of the requirements of the Dominion in regard to national defence. It did appear to him, however, that New Zealand, which if attacked at all, would bo tho object of attack from the sea on any part of the coast line, could be better defended by a mobile air force than by any force of territorials that may be available at that particular spot. The difficulties of getting territorials to a given spot on the coast line must, he thought, give an advantage to a well organised air force as a means of defence. As to what should be the balance between the air force and the land force, whether comprised of volunteers or territorials, he thought that the Defence Department was in the best position to decide. Civilians could not judge all the needs of the country's defence.

I here had been wonderful response U-om the young men of this district to tho appeal of the air, said Sir Francis, and the only hindrance now was the cost to the pupils of the training necessary to obtain their flying certificates and subsequent cost of indulging in their hobby, but if the cost of teaching were part of the Government's defence expenditure, and refresher courses were held frequently to keep pilots in training he thought a great many more men would offer their services than the country could afford to train.

"As an old volunteer and non-com-missioned officer of the Christchurch Uty Guards, I have long been of the opinion that the volunteer system is not only adequate hut very much more desirable, than the compulsory territorial vfif"; r" (l Mr J - McCoinbs, Labour M.l. tor Lyttelton, when asked for his comments on the proposed change in policy. 1I„ .said thot a very much bettor spirit prevailed in the old days