OUR UNPREPAREDNESS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13235, 21 July 1906, Page 1 (Supplement)

OUR UNPREPAREDNESS.

-.;':■' BY O.V CCUtD. ?'■- ''V*' I '.',. But when men think they most in safety stand. Tils greatest pen! oiteti » at hand. DIIAI It will have been noticed by those familiar with events in Australia, and as an important sign of the times, that a greatly increased interest is being evinced in the question of colonial defence. The most important indication of a change in public opinion is the attitude of the- Labour party in the Assemblies of the Federal States. A policy of undisguised opposition has given place to an earnest desire to support any [reasonable proposal that will improve the means of protection against an enemy. Since the birth of the Australasian colonies we have been satisfied, like little children, to rely on the protection of a parent. We have not thought it necessary to seriously exert ourselves in providing for our own security. There have been occasions when the uarcry of nations has sounded in our ears and caused •a > flutter of excitement, and we may even have gone so far as to overhaul our arm-chest. The fact, however, that we have always looked upon Europe, as the sole source of danger . has lulled us into a. sense of security, and. we have been content; to believe that we are too far away to be attacked. It is probable, therefore, that the advance of Japan to a place in the forefront of the great Powers, and the tendency of China to follow in its wake, have had something to do with the attention now being given to the state of ' absolute insecurity which prevails! in our Australian possessions.

We in New Zealand are, of course, concerned in the defence of our neighbours, and should therefore welcome any evidence that the colonists are awakening to a true sense of the importance of preparation. But if the vulnerability of the sister colonies is a concern of ours, a more vital interest is the proper defence of our own land ; this not only from a selfish point of view, but also because our brethren are entitled to demand that we too should put our house in order. This is a time when every citizen should personally exhibit an interest in ;the preparations for defence. We read that the sole test of a perfect artillery organisation is the power exhibited by the defenders of any unit to direct upon an indicated target.at the shortest possible notice a rapid, accurate fire, and to maintain that fire until its object is secured. The spirit which pervades such a definition should be the mainspring of our endeavours. Those who are conversant with the conditions which prevailed in Japan prior to the recent war must have been astonished at the excellence of the preparations. Everything was in readiness nothing was left to-chance. History repeatedly shows that the Britisher has a. knack of extricating himself from difficulties caused by the initial blunders associated with 'a declaration of war. He reckons to pull through somehow, with a total disregard for the fact that - timely preparation would save life find treasure. The Nippon alliance will be of comparatively less service to us than the advantages we shall derive from a serious contemplation of ; Japanese methods. If Britain learns a tithe of the lessons the war will indeed have been a blessing. ' . , • , >

What we require in this colony,■"; thereore, is a preparation similar to.that which brought: to. naught ? ; power- 'the. Tsar; This, considered in so many words, will appear a large order. But it does not of course mean that we must establish .a. large army, build warships, and equip vast fortresses. It means ' that in proportion to our population and resources we must see that, our defence is so organised that no sudden attack -will find us xmpreijared. That Ave have excellent material at our disposal was apparent when the South African war was in progress. Unfortunately the success of our contingents really did :us more harm than good. There resulted the delusion that the defence of New Zealand' could bo undertaken with as little trouble as it took to enrol the troopers. We failed to'grasp the true position.

What, then, contributed to the success of our men, and why could we not to-day render as good an account on our own behalf? Firtly, in South Africa the colonials were taken in hand by a huge organisation ; and, secondly, because we have no organisation. To call attention to the necessity for improvement, to suggest the better training of our men in the profession of arms, almost invariably results in the cry of "militarism." The establishment of a military caste, and the evils that follow, are not what thoughtful persons, imbued with patriotism, have in view. The bogey of militarism must therefore be excluded from all serious deliberations.

The first and principal obstacle to a true comprehension of the position is the unfortunate, view held by some that our defence lies entirely with the Royal navy. This idea appears so preposterous that it would be unworthy of notice were it not that it is a view proclaimed) from positions of influence. There are enthusiastic persons in the colony interested in the improvement of our defence who have their efforts crushed by being told that after all the navy is our defence. There is no need here to,, sing the praises of the navy. We have absolute trust in it, both as regards " personnel" and " materiel," but to declare' that our existence depends solely 011 the navy is, when it emanates from an authority, a display of ignorance which is deplorable. The Royal navy cannot alone be expected to fulfil such a function. Command of the sea is certainly the most important factor, but it cannot be maintained if we refrain from at least supporting our naval forces by the provision of a secure base. To arrive at a true estimate of the position we must realise, that the job we have in hand is one to be undertaken by ourselves and one that cannot be transferred to the shoulders of others. Is our patriotism dead? Are we so wrapt up in the business of the mart as to exclude all thought of duty? Are we waiting until the enemy knocks at our gates? Have we so degenerated as to - be content to "pay" for our defence? If not, how then can we prepare ourselves to guard the priceless gift of; liberty? We are distinctly pronounced in. our objections to a standing army. The alternative is a citizen army.

The citizen army requires encouragement under three headings, viz. :

(a) The extension of the cadet movement.

(b) An appreciation of the adult volunteer. :

(c) The establishment of a reserve

The spirit of patriotism engendered by service in the cadet corps should be fostered when the young soldier enters an adult corps, and when he has served some time as an efficient he should l>e able to retain his, interest by less arduous duty as a trained reservist. The cadet 'corps in our public schools ore destined to revolutionise public opinion in a- manner undreamt of by the authorities. The lads who are now acquiring a military spirit will not be content to witness the scant treatment, bordering on contempt, which is now meted out to the volunteer. They .will demand at the hustings that the importance attached to their early training be substantiated by a proper recognition of their services as adults. It is therefore our duty to try and anticipate this demand, by beginning . now a systematic organisation of our forces: We must establish our citizen army on such. a. basis: as will elevate service' in its ranks to the positioa of an honour.- We must prevent it from becoming as ; useless as an armed mob. We are spending thousands of pounds , per annum in the upkeep of a volunteer system with a total disregard for its organisation and efficiency, and until we take serious thought and remedy the defects we shall continue in our present stole of iinpreparednese.