VOLUNTARY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 6 August 1931, Page 8

VOLUNTARY

DEFENCE AMENDMENT BILL DISCUSSION IN HOUSE* (From “The Mail’s” Parliamentary Reporter'! WELLINGTON, sth August. In moving Ihe second reading of the Defence Anieiidmcui Bill, the Minister of Defence (the lion. .1. G. Goblin) said lied (he measure provided for I lie extension of Ihe age of Territorials and Ihe transfer to reserves. II was -considered that those provisions would strengthen I lie Forces with a sprinkling of older men. The present age for Territorials was 25, and il was proposed lo extend this to 35. The transfer ago for warrant officers had been raised from 40 to 50, and that for officers from 40 to 60.

Dealing with Defence generally Mr Cobbe referred to the suspension of the Territorial training system last year and the establishment, of a voluntary scheme, and added that it was desired to maintain in the new training system the splendid spirit- of the Territorial Force and the traditions of the various regiments, R was impossible lo forsce how .successful the new .scheme would he until after recruiting had concluded. Tho lion. J. B. Cobbe said the Government. intended to spend £200,000 annually on land defence and £40,000 on aviation. To date 50 per cent, of those required to complete the volunteer establishment had been attested.

Mr F. Waite (Reform, Clullia) said the Bill was a recognition of tlm fact that volunteers would not come forward in largo numbers. For a few years it would be simply a. paper force. lie thought stringent regulations necessary lo prevent employers filling volunteers’ jobs when llicv were in camp. It was extraordinary that in a time of economy the Government had appointed a glorified clerk as the Under .Secretary of Defence at a salary of £990, the same as the G.O.C.

Mr W. E. Barnard (Labour, Napier) said the probable effect of the Bill would be to keep young men from volunteering. Tho tone of camps would not he so good as if men were, all about, the same age. There should he statutory provision for keeping volunteers’ jobs open when they were in camp. Ho expressed satisfaction at the abolition of the compulsory training system and said that if the new system were properly encouraged it would meet all New Zealand’s needs.

Mr T. W. McDonald (United, Wairarapa) said if volunteers wore enthusiastic the new scheme would bo a success. He was glad the age had been raised, for older men were a great help to young recruits.

Mr 11. S. S. Kyle (Reform, Ricearton) said a number of volunteers were mere pot hunters, serving long enough to secure long-service medals. lie did not think the new system would turn out enough trainees. In reply, Mr Cobbe said there was no noed for pessimism about recruiting, lie believed all requirements would be forthcoming. Deprecating the references to the Under-Secretary of Defence, he said the officer had been transferred from the position of Assistant Public Trustee, one of the highest offices in New Zealand ,lo look after the business management of the Department. He had already saved New Zealand more than would pay his salary for about twenty years. lie felt sure employers would rise to the occasion when volunteers wore in camp. Thore was provision enabling tho Department to reduce the age at which men wore compelled ,16 go into (lie reserve with the idea of making room for younger men should any large number apply.