DEFENCE QUESTION

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8182, 25 July 1912, Page 3

DEFENCE QUESTION

REPLY TO THE COMMANDANT. SPECIAXi TO THE "TIMES.” HAMILTON, July 24. Colonel Allen Bell addressed a large and enthusiastic meeting on Tuesday at Te Aroha in the interests of the Legion of Frontiersmen. A large number signed on, and a strong committee, headed by the Mayor, was elected. Colonel Bell dealt with tho ideal State, where a professional army was abolished and every man was a citizen soldier. He very much regretted the remarks oi General Godley in regard 'to cadet and school teacher officers. As -one who had taken a leading part in the introduction of universal military training he could say that one of the great factors in introducing the system had been tho splendid practical demonstration ghen by the cadets. To the school teachers who had attained these splendid results they owed a deep debt of gratitude, lu his professional enthusiasm General Godley had evidently forgotten the great underlying principle of the universal training movement, which was not only training for war, but in the development of those ideals which made for elevation of national character. There was not a body of men in New Zealand so capable of carrying out this great ideal as tht. school teachers. From a purely military point of view a large number of teachers stood very high indeed, and _ with encouragement and proper facilities for higher training they could be made the most efficient instructors in the Dominion. The fact that they did not hold commissions signed by the Governor 01 some other figurehead did not affect then status in the slightest degree. They held their positions by their ability and the consent of the people, and were just as entitled to be captains or majors as officers of the regular army or tTerritorial forces. They had the distinction that they had in most cases earned their titles by per sonality and ability, whereas in the regular army birth and position were the |;rcat qualifications. On the permanent staff of the defence forces men were kept on who were known to be hopelessly incapable of either imparting militaij instruction or developing high ideals among those under them, whilst other capable men on the staff were passed over. He had always set before the people the ideal of abolition of a paid army and the substitution of a citizen army, where every man, whether he was born in purple or engaged in sweeping a gutter, would have a chance to rise to the highest military position, should ha have the ability. The fact of his holding a parchment commission would count for nothing. His status would be gauged by the ability and enthusiasm displayed in his work. By acceptance of this democratic principle alone could they hope to prevent the development of that military caste which had done so much harm to the cause of defence in other parts of the Empire.