VOLUNTARY BASIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23382, 26 June 1939, Page 13

VOLUNTARY BASIS

• tebbitoeial abmy CONDEMNATION UNFAIR GENERAL DUIGAN'S VIEW COMPULSION WOULD TAKE TIME [by telegraph—press association] "WELLINGTON, Saturday It was unfair to the Territorial Army and the keen men who had joined it during tho last few years to condemn the whole volunteering system hecause the National Military Reserve had not met with an overwhelming response, said the Chief of the General Staff, Major-General J. E. Duigan, in nn interview to-day. " When the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, made his recent appeal for men to offer their services for national defence, volunteers were required in four separate categories—the regular forces, the Territorial Special Reserve, the Territorial Army and tho National military Reserve,'-' said Major-General --Duigan. Pacific Conference Attitude "The last-named has the widest scope in its three classes and because it includes returned soldiers has received niore attention from the public. Cer- • tain people, probably with the best intentions in the world, arc saying the system of voluntary enlistment has failed because the National Military Reserve in 'general and CMass I. in particular, that is, men between the ages of 20 and 35 with two or three years or more previous military service, has not met with an overwhelming response. It is unfair to condemn the whole system on this evidence. "Until the Pacific Defence Conference was held the peace strength of tho Territorial Army was limited to 9500, and from February of this year . onward units wc.'c turning away recruits because the establishments were full. Because of the additional number of recruits offering at the beginning of May we were authorised to take .25 |K-r cent over peace establishment. As a result 1000 extra volunteers joined up in May, and the strength nt the end of that month was 10,600. It is now approximately 12,000. and gaining rapidly. "One of the most important recommendations from the Pacific Defence Conference," he continued, "was the endorsement of an increase of 6000 men in the strength of the Territorial Army, which had already been recommended the New Zealand chiefs of staff. I would emphasise that tho experts at that conference —and no one has the right or knowledge to question their ability—did not consider that New Zealand required an army of .'30.000 men in peace time, and did not. suggest the need for compulsory military training. Spirit ol Practical Service <

"The Government recently authorised me to expand the Territorial Army to 16,000. Reorganisation on this scale cannot he prepared in a day. The regular staff is barely sufficient to cope with the task and all are working overtime three or four nights a week and most week-ends. "In fact, the job could not be done if it were not for the valuable assistance which is being given throughout the country areas by the territorials themselves. I would like to express my appreciation of the practical service which is being given to territorial units in-Eiany centres by members of territori.%l and regimental associations. Men and women who are members of these associations are'doing great work to assist those who have volunteered to train for military defence, both by helping the units with their social and recreational activities and by demonstrating to them that the general public appreciates tlieir effqrts. These territorial associations, like the territorials themselves, are giving practical service to the Dominion —not merely cheering at meetings. "That is the spirit which animates our Territorial Army at the present tunc, and in my opinion anyone who fays that the serving territorials are a failure is not onjy saying something contrary to fact, but also something definitely harmful to our preparations for national defence. Need for Universal Support

"The question of whether we should have compulsory or voluntary military training is 'a matter of policy and therefore not within my province to discuss, but I would like to say this: present system of compulsory training in the United Kingdom is fifing reorganised and training carried out bv the Regular Army. In other men who are called up have an overwhelming supply of trained instructors to take them in hand. 'ln New Zealand at present volunteer , territorials could not be replaced • compulsory trainees in less than tlirje years. If war comes in the near f'Jture, as it may well do, our land defence must fall mainly on the Territorial Army, with the support of a Valued but definitely second line of defence in the .National Military ReJ er ye. We want to get on with our training. .. j appeal once again for the prnc,Cal support and co-operation of all "leiiiliors () f tlie' r community. With this 'upport I nm confident the present ."iter Territorial Army will not bo • l0l "Kl wanting." RECRUITING campaign * PLANS IN WAJHI DISTRICT [ Br TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION j WAIHI, Saturday I A recruiting campaign will he ivn ted hv th « Mayor. Mr. W. M. V. 1 """. early next month covering «V- '' Waihi Plains and the district, with a view to bringi f j lO Hauraki Regiment and the t n .l K»st Coast .Mounted Rifles ii(> , 'oir full quota. A meeting will he tl Icss,,< l by Captain SJiuttleworth, of le "acroa area. enrolments in reserve I total inch eased to 9G7i Br TEL.EUUAI'II— TRESS ASSOCIATION] T WELLINGTON, Saturday Ulilj}® tota ' enro 'ments in the National 8671 . Reserve have now reached ' a n increase of 131 on j-cstorday.