First Steps Towards National Service

Southland Times, Issue 23795, 18 April 1939, Page 6

First Steps Towards National Service

MOW that Cabinet Ministers are ’ beginning to talk more frequently and more definitely about defence there is reason to hope that the Government will at last clarify its altitude towards the question of hational service. “It is the duty of every physically fit man in this country to hold himself in readiness for the defence of New Zealand,” said the Hon. R. Semple in a speech at Wellington on Saturday. This sentiment can be accepted without argument/ But it does not go far enough. Although the will to serve is necessary in establishing the proper psychology for action it must ba able to express itself quickly in. a system of military and other training which will allow the country’s man power to become effective in a time of emergency. Nothing is to be gained by a headlong rush to the colours when the fighting has already begun and the air is thick with rumours of enemy activities in the Pacific zone. Modern warfare is largely mechanized, and if the citizens are to play a part in defending their country they must know a long way in advance how ' to combine with others in militar y action and how to use thefir weapons with courage and e/Ticiency. Only practice can 'give the confidence that allows mem to remain cool under difficult c;ondi-l tions. A great deal is said against “hysterical” war talk that might create a nation-wide pani c. But panic is the result of surprise and blindness. Dangers are never so bad when they can be looked in the face and when stf,ps can be taken to avoid them, or at least to meet them with an honest chance of survival. Tasks For Older Persons

We believe that -/the people of this country would adapt themselves quickly to I,a.sks and conditions that might ’mive seemed intolerable even a, year ago. The

only true w 'a y of keeping the public mind :st mely balanced in a period of anxiety is to give everybody his place in a

democratic system of defence. To feed tl.ie people with soothing statements and to ask them to believe that everything requisite j is being done by the authoriti iy.s is no longer enough, for they * are beginning to realize that th e preparations must remain m jcomplete until they themselves know exactly what to do and hcrr.v to help in the hours of crisis. . This is particularly the case v rith the country’s manhood. Recru citing today is not satisfactory, /.said three members of the defer ice committee at the Labour conft rrence in a minority report, beca iuse it is confined too largely to i rien of a too youthful age. “De fence is a task for men as well as "boys.” The report recommei jded a recruiting campaign am<;xng the higher age groups. It serins probable that before this cain be done some attempt will ha ire to be made to modify the territorial system or to- create auxiliary and reserve groups. J Perhaps the best initial step would be to draw up a national Register so that men in key occupations could be left where uhey are most useful while others .-are allowed the opportunity to : serve in the capacities for which they are best suited by experience and temperament. A recruiting campaign should be launched with the minimum delay. Its chance of success, however, will depend largely on the way it is organized and the thoroughness with which a framework is provided for an effective national service. Once the Government has shown that it is in earnest there should be little fear of an inadequate response.