THE DEFENCE SYSTEM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17963, 13 December 1921, Page 8

THE DEFENCE SYSTEM.

TEN YEARS' EXPERIENCE. EFFICIENCY NOT ATTAINED. [by 'telegraphs-special reporter,] '( WELLINGTON, Mbuc!*y. • Appended to the annual report of the Commandant of the New Zealand Forces is an estimate of results achieved by the defence'' system since operations commenced in 1911. It states that the experience gained during the 10 years reviewed shows:— I 1. Approximately 90,000, or about 90 per cent, of the boys between the ages of 14 and 1,8 liable for training under the Defence Act, passed through the cadet force: These boys received a limited amount of instruction in discipline, physical training, and rifle shooting, and therefore the training 4hey received will enable them to be made efficient soldiers more quickly on joining the territorial force or in a national emergency, 2. Apart from the men enlisted for-the expeditionary force during the war, many of whom had "received no previous trailing, approximately 58 per cent, of the male population between the ages of 18 and 25 years have passed through the territorial force. Very few non-commis-sioned officers and men have completed the full seven years. V ?j. The Defence Act Was based on the principle of universal training. In this respect the scheme has failed, as about' 42 per cent, of those liable are now untrained.. '•: j,;' • ' i 4. Experience has shown that the .principled equality of service and universal training cannot, be carried out under the present system. The Only means ,of ensuring that every person liable for training under the Act fulfils his obligations is by concentrating in.a tjfaihing;camp for a definite 'period those, liable for 'service. 5. An army cahno^t^e'effltien't'unless :t is thoroughly organised; The existing organisation of. the''New.Zealand military forces is *ound - and economical in that it provides for garrisons. for out defended ports, and one complete division to be mobilised for war, With .machinery for further expansion if required. 6. Thei Defence Department, considering its.extensive activities, js ministered 'as efficiently and economically as possible..Beyond the reductions that will be effected as soon, as possible in eonnection with the post-war 'organisation (war records, hospitals, etc.), further eeo-; nomics are not possible without serious risk Of prejudicing the existing military organisation. ' No other part of the British Empire can show such a small increase in its present; military expenditure over that of 1914 as New Zealand.! ■. . . 7. The present. system of >. training does not produce real efficiency,' »nd in the' event of a national emergency- units would require to undergo a cotisidefsble amount of training Befc-rd being ready for active Service.- , "; ."'• ■ >. ' ' The problem both of Empire and local defence involves the employment, of naval., military,' and air forces.. In so far as the defence of -New Zealand is conceftied preponderance of any one of tjjwsfe arms maf under certain circumstances modify to sotne. extent the organisation of the' others. Their correlation depends upon the task to bo assigned to them in war. This is a matter of Government policy, Which, no doubt, has received full consideration at' the Imperial Conference. Whether the decisions arrived at there s will. modify the , existing, military organisation via not at pressnt. KnoWp. Keanwhije the policy of the Defence Department will continue to be the administration of the existing law as laid down in the Defence Act so far as the limited financial. means wilh permit.