COMPULSORY TRAINING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20641, 13 August 1930, Page 14

COMPULSORY TRAINING.

BUSINESS MEN'S VIEWS. RESULT OF PLEBISCITE. A referendum of members of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce upon tho continuance of compulsory military training was recently taken. The result shows (hat of the members who replied to the questions asked them a majority of two to one favoured the retention of the system. However, only about one-sixth sent in replies. The members were asked to state, firstly, whether or not, they were in favour of the continuance of compulsory military training, and, secondly, whether or nob they considered that the inconvenience caused to employers was more than offset by the national value of tho military service rendered. Tho result was as follows:—For continuance, without reservations, 70; with reservations, 11; against continuance, without reservations, 36; with reservations, 7. Those who favoured continuance almost without exception thought that tho value of military training more than offset (ho inconvenience to employers. Those who supported abolition nearly all took tho opposite view. 1 The secretary of tho chamber, Dr. E. P. Xeale, stated yesterday that several members who had not answered the questions had since told him (hat they had nofc been ablo to make up their rninds on the subject because of the conflicting issues involved.

AN ALTERNATIVE SYSTEM. QUESTION OF PHYSICAL CULTURE. Whether the abandonment of the existing system of military training in tho Dominion throws a special responsibility on tho churches was discussed by the Auckland Presbytery last evening. Tho Rev. J. A. Thomson reported that the youth committee had been considering whother tho Church ought not to provide something for its young men to take tho place of tho training formerly givon by tho military. After the Rov. I. E. Bertram had referred to tho excellent work accomplished among tho youth of Germany and of Czecho-Slovakia "hv lion-military physical culture movements tho mattor was referred to the Youth Committee for a report. The suggestion was made that all tho 'churches might co-operate in providing somo organised physical culture. COMPULSION SUPPORTED. DEFENCE LEAGUE AT WATUKU. [m: TJir.r.iir.AHi. —own coiuie&pqnijent.] WAIUKU. Tuesday.

"It scorns to mo wo aro at tho parting of llio ways," said Colonel M. Aldrccl lost evening in addressing a. public meeting of residents of the \\ aiuku district iu the Waiuku Town llall, called to consider, tho present dofonco economy plans. "Either we Imvo lo jnako up our minds thafc our dreams of universal peace are coming true," said Colonel Aldred, "and we can pursue our business and pleasures without bothering about possible dangers, or that tho best way to maintain peace is to hove an efficient, well-equipped force." About 70 people were present and Mr. J. J. A. James, chairman of tho Waiuku Town Board, presided. Colonel Aldred, who was tho principal speaker, said that no one in Now Zealand wanted war. Iu tho ovonfc of another war it would probably bo months boforo tho Old Country could liolp New Zoaland, and unless wo had an efficient and well-armed defence force, wo should bo at tho mercy of any Power that took tho trouble to land .1 few thousand troops lioro. Tho National Dofonco League, which was now being formod throughout tho country, aimed at securing for NewZealand an efficient dofonco force. Tho meeting enthusiastically rosolvod to form a branch of tho Defenco League, tho objects of which woro fully explained by Major 0. Honry. Colonel Aldrccl, Major Henry, and Messrs. 11. W. Wnddingham, P. Oakdon, E. Holmes, W, Buttinioro unci J. O'llcilly wei;o appointed un exocutivo for tho branch, with power to odd to their nunlber. It was rosolvod: "That this meeting is definitely opposed to tho ropoal of the compulsory clauses of tho defcnco scheme, and is of the opinion that military training should bo resumed at tho earliest possiblo moment.'J