TRAINING OF YOUTHS

Southland Times, Issue 24158, 21 June 1940, Page 8

TRAINING OF YOUTHS

COMPULSORY INSTRUCTION - URGED (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, June 20. Contending that it was all “ballyhoo” to say there were no military instructors, Mr E. L. Cullen (Lab., Hawke’s Bay) in the House this afternoon urged that youths between the ages of 16 and 18 years should -receive some training. He said that he had always been a supporter of conscription, and he contended that there should be compulsory training between the ages of 18 and 21. “There are territorial officers and non-commissioned officers who could give the necessary instruction,” said Mr Cullen. “It is wrong to say that this cannot be overcome. It is most essential that we should get on with the training of territorials. We will get equipment in some way. The thing is to get the men together.” He pointed out that industry was willing to help the Government and many things, including tanks, could be made here. ‘lt needs a pin in the pants to push things along,” he declared. Mr Cullen also emphasized the need of making - better provision for soldiers when they returned. The Soldiers’ Settlement Act, introduced by the Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey, was a good Act, but the way in which it was carried out was disastrous. The land purchased was of poor quality and the men were inexperienced.