MILITARY TRAINING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23223, 22 June 1937, Page 7

MILITARY TRAINING

TO THE EDITOR

Sir,—lf the justification for military training is to be found in that it has never done anyone harm, a good many things, some objectionable, could be justified on the same ground. The opinion was recently expressed that compulsory military training would have to be reintroduced in order to give a new status to the defence services of New Zealand. It was further held that such training would do much to improve the manhood of the country. Why should the defence services need such a considerable addition at the present time? Are there reasons not known to the general public? Is an attack imminent or are we going to become the aggressor? To admit the need for compulsory military training is to allow that it only achieves its object by getting young men to do by command what they are unwilling to do of their own initiative. If they were willing they would attend in sufficient numbers without the necessity for compulsion. Again, if it is urged that such training improves the manhood of the country the reference is mainly to the physique. And there are other considerations. Granted that discipline is good at stages of adolescence, and the lesson of obedience, too; it is not necessary that these must be given a militaristic atmosphere and colour in order to be beneficial.—l am. etc.. Non-combatant. Kaitangata, June 19.