PAY OF DEFENCE FORCES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23102, 29 July 1938, Page 10

PAY OF DEFENCE FORCES

' Only a day ago the annual report j by the Chief of the General Staff on the military forces of New Zealand frankly revealed two key weaknesses, lack of manpower and want of regularity in attendance at parades and camps, liven if the theoretical establishment could be accepted as sufficient—and weighty authority declares it to be tragically inadequate—there is little hope of its being efficient under the conditions the report reveals. The .Minister of Defence has now announced the improvements in pay allowances and amenities indicated by MajorGeneral Duigan as being under consideration. His hope is that by their aid, and with better public support, the defence forces may be fully manned and efficiently trained. Whether the result will be as anticipated practical experience alone can show. The main features of what is offered are better pay for camps and attendance at other periods of training, provision for direct out-of-pocket expenses, and more funds for social and sporting activities associated with the life of the units. One principle embodied can be gladly endorsed. While the duty of training for the defence of the country is left to the willing few, they should not be required to pay as well as to serve. livery man should be fully safeguarded against financial loss, and none should be called upon to bear any expenses. That is only elementary justice. For the rest, it is an open question whether money is at the root of the difficulty in manning the forces. Public apathy, for which the potential recruit is far from being the only one to blame, is probably a much more powerful factor. The Government is pledged not to apply the one remedy that would effectively meet the situation. Tt has offered this substitute. The only way to view it in present circumstances is to hope it will be as effective as its authors suggest.