THE DEFENCE SYSTEM

Southland Times, Issue 19250, 14 June 1921, Page 2

THE DEFENCE SYSTEM

VIEWS OF FARMERS. DEBATE AT PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE. At the Provincial Conference of the Far\ mers’ Union on Friday a remff; was preP sen ted on behalf of the Pukerau branch as follows: “That since military training has been found to be of no value it should be dispensed with/’ Mr L. J. Woodfield moved the remit, and said that militarism was rotten to the core. He had been informed that men wha had been called up during the war were better than those who had been in training. Those who had been in camp had learned to dodge. They would do better to spend the money used in defence on those returned men who had risked their lives. Mr McLean said that three of his boys had been to the front, and they had all expressed the opinion that they had to unlearn all that they had been taught in camp. Mr J. Irwin stated that the boys often went to drill and were told that they were not wanted, and could go to the pic-

Mr J. J. Crampton was of the opinion that the present system of training waa obsolete.

Mr L. Day said that it would be folly tor the fanners to advocate the abolition of the military system. The present system had resulted in New Zealand being able to take Samoa. He was of the opinion that the present system was bad, and he advocated the establishment of c&mpi in which recruits would serve three months. There was nothing that would better instil into the young the national spirit than military training.

Mr A. Johnston opposed the remit, and said that although it was a time for retrenchment, he was of the opinion that a modified system of training should be substituted. He was in favour of the school boys receiving adequate training. The halfday and day parades were no good to the country. They might work in the towns. He would support camps lasting a fortnight. Mr E. Bowmar regretted that Mr Mah colm had been unable to address the Conference. His scheme was that n.c.o.’s and officers should be trained in the school. That would give them a foundation for a good army should the time ever come for one again.

The chairman expressed the opinion that discipline should begin at home, and many parents neglected that duty. Mr Woodfield in reply said that the remit might be altered to read: “A more efficient system of military training bo adopted.” It was decided to withdraw the remit until Mr Malcolm had given his address on military training.