TERRITORIAL FORCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21482, 4 May 1933, Page 8

TERRITORIAL FORCE

While the country Territorial units are up to strength, those located in Auckland City are over 500 below establishment. This position is far from creditable, but doubtless it will be corrected in response to the appeal issued by Colonel J. E. Duigan, officer commanding the Northern Command. It is impossible to believe that the small volunteer training force necessary to.maintain the divisional organisation cannot secure enough men in the city to make the units there located effective. With many young men, military training is unpopular. They feel no sense of duty in the .matter and may justify themselves with the shallow arguments that arc common in some quarters. But there is not the slightest doubt that at tho first sign of menace to the Dominion there would be instant response from many thousands whose spirit would be in no way infei'ior to that which made the reputation of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the Great War. But when a crisis arises it is the trained man who is required, and some of the latent spirit is* needed to fill the present vacancies in the ranks. The Territorial cannot fit himself -for the defence of his country without deriving personal benefit. He benefits physically, is given opportunities for sport, improves his general capacity, and has the chance of making contacts which may help him in civil life. Tn technical units, particularly, efficiency is a testimonial for many jobs. But infantry training in these days is a much more interesting thing than it was in former days. The whole system of training has become extraordinarily attractive, yet the city units remain far too weak. The main reason probably lies in the fact that most young men, in whom patriotism is not lacking, 'have too many diversions, and persuade themselves that they cannot spare the time. But the young men of the country succeed in finding the time often at some sacrifice to themselves. The appeal of the officer commanding deserves every support, and employers might help it to achieve its object.