DEFENCE SYSTEM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23058, 8 June 1938, Page 15

DEFENCE SYSTEM

VOLUNTARY TRAINING NO COMPULSION INTENDED NEED FOR PREPAREDNESS SOUTHERN FARMER'S VIEWS [by telegraph—ow.v correspondent} DUNEDIN, Tuesday The ne#>d for national preparedness for an emergency, even if it involves the adoption of a system of compulsory military training, was emphasised by Mr R. H. Michelle in his presidential address to the Otago provincial conference of the Farmers' Union to-day « Reference was also made to the subject by the Minister of Defence, the Hon.: F. Jones, who opened the conference* The Minister said it was not the intention of the Government to institute compulsory military training, because it was considered unnecessary in the Dominion. Mr. Michelle n-aid that they as farmers could not close their eves to certain facts which had to be faced. For instance, it was most unlikely that Britain would be able to keep out of a major war, if and when the war came, and events of the last few weeks served to show just how grave the position really was. Great Britain's Policy Thoy ought to he profoundly-thank-ful that the British Government was fully alive to the situation. In effect the British official attitude was that, pending a better ' understanding between the nations, the only way to keep predatory nations from making war was for countries like Britain to be so strong that they could enforce sanctions or such other collective measi ures which might be decided upon against an aggressor nation. Britain was now making tremendous efforts to build up her army, navy and air force. What part was New Zealand playing? "It Beems to me," Mir. Michelle said,"that the least we can do by way of contribution is to see that the young men of this country are fit and that, in the event of their being called upon, they are adequately trained for the part they may have to play. This may mean a system of compulsory training. If Britain is making sacrifices it is up to this country to make sacrifices, too, if by doing so we can avert that great-" est catastrophe of all —war." Influx of Recruits Mr. Jones, referring to defence matters in his opening address to the con- %■ ference, said he noticed that conference remits included one urging the adoption of compulsory military training for youths between 17 and 21. He hoped that when thoy were discussing this subject a close examination would be made of what had been done. Compulsory military service had not been adopted in England of in Australia and it was not considered necessary-in New; Zealand. He would like to mention* however, that there had been 'an influx of recruits in recent months, and he suggested that the proposed publicity to stimulate recruiting would result in! an even greater interest. - All he would ask them at that stage was carefully to study what had already been done when considering remits dealing with the subject. He could, however, say quite definitely that it was not the intention of the Government to institute any compulsory system at the present time, the reason being that the Government believed it could achieve more by development of the i voluntary system.