NO MORE TERRITORIALS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1026, 17 July 1930, Page 1

NO MORE TERRITORIALS

Military Men Perturbed

RELAY OF LABOUR’S BROADCAST’

Opinions of Auckland Officers

MILITARY men still on the active lists were unable to say what they might have wished when approached by THE s SUN today for opinions on the Government’s plan to abolish territorial training. But one or two whom officialdom no longer silences spoke in no uncertain terms of a policy they felt to be against the interests of national safety. Other citizens were for the Minister. A miscellany of interviews revealed wide divergence of opinion.

liieutenanfcColonel J. Hardie Neil, immediate past president of the Auckland Officers’ Club, has strong views on the decision of the Minister of Defence. "What do I think about it?” the Colonel said with a laugh, “well I cannot put it down in newspaper language." Nevertheless, Colonel Hardie Neil did have something to say. “This is quite obviously a

relay of the Labour Party’s broadcast,” he remarked. ‘‘The Government has given no reasons, but has simply made its announcement.” As one who had examined territorial troops for more than 20 years. Colonel Hardie Hell re-

garded the decision as very regrettable The territorial system had not only fostered esprit de corps among the trainees, but was useful in the physical development and moral wellbeing of the youth of the Dominion, Previously New Zealand had been deemed capable of putting in the field what du-ring the war the Germans admitted to be a “steel division.” That this Dominion was able to train so fin© a territorial army was a factor to be considered if hostilities threatened. Under the system now condemned, New Zealand could throw a division into inflammatory areas, say of the East, with great promptitude. The only reason that the Suez Comal was able to be kept open was lhat the peoples bordering it had full knowledge of the retribution which v'ould follow aggression. The peace o£ the world, particularly of those parts bordering on Russia, was in a precarious condition. “I consider that not only must New Zealand have sufficient trained officers, but also a large body of trained men who can be mobilised at short notice,” said the colonel. “The terriiorialß were of immense value in the Gallipoli campaign, and the standard eached in New Zealand in recent years has been very high. I fail to j ;see that the proposed method will ?hre any adequate contribution to the defence of the Empire.'* • A warning to beware of the difficulties which are likely to arise *• a result of the suspension of military training is made by Major-General Sir George Richardson. | t sincerely hope that the question

was thoroughly ir restigated and discussed before this more was made,” said Sir George, "but I feel that it has not been given the necessary consideration. It seems to have been done hurriedly and without realising ' what shali be the results, for such a

»ove can only present manj l difficultlea “I consider that before such a decision was arrived at, the opinion should have been sought of the hundreds of officers and meu who are •cquainted with the “pros” and “cons” the situation. They are on the job 6 dme - and have had the invalu>ole experience of the past. And loose officers no doubt, feel it, that wore not asked their opinion,” ,al « Sir George. fitness essential When approached. Mr. V. T. Drew, 'tcretary to the Y.M.C.A., was rather sn!f r ' e< * discussing the question, Uni, T"** that because of his posi,J,“ e fished to be non-committal. th» militar - v training is abolished, , ®* e must have some definite sys°f physical training, and this fact list rea '* f!e( l at the outbreak of the * war when there were so many ftnnt ,> "L* 10 were unfit to go to the w»va ke !ald - “Physical training t«eh & p ea,; Part in defence and any mt: would be strongly sup™te<l by the Y.M.C.A.” OBJECT TO COMPULSION” it be military of physical object , es P®cially the former, T do Uoj, t 0 compulsion and the anUojt ® ent this morning is indeed t;a, si Di icasing,” said Mrs. A. M. Labonr i ecretar >' to the Women’s °arty, "But while we dis-

agree with the Compulsory Military Training Act, a voluntary system may be satisfactory. “Military camps have' a detrimenal effect upon the youth of the country, especially from the moral point of view,” said Mrs. Cassie. “Boys are taught things which are not in the best interests of their development into the righteous type of man and the military system undermines their youth,” said Mrs. Cassie. “Then there is all that tremendous expenditure which is unnecessary. Physical training would be in order, but not necessarily compulsory. I do object to compulsion.” Another who was much opposed to compulsory training and the unsatisfactory moral effect and atmosphere of military camps was Mrs. Moore, a member of the executive of the Women’s Labour Party. “The announcement is undoubtedly a move in the right direction, and I only hope that it will hold good for all times. Physical training, run in connection with the Y.M.C.A. and other similar institutions, would be satisfactory, but compulsory military training and war are distinctly wrong,” said Mrs. Moore.

“Thanks—l’d rather not. My opinions are too ‘Bolshie’ to appear in print.” This was the contribution of Major H. S. N. Robinson, secretary to the Melanesian Mission and a former permanent staff officer.

ELECTION PLEDGE BROKEN “I cannot believe that a majority of the House will support the Government on these proposals,” said Mr. Mervyn Reed, chairman Auckland branch of i e Past and Present Territorials’ Association of New Zealand. This organisation embodies men between the ages of 18 and 45. “It should not be a party matter and in any event, the members of the present Government, if they support the proposals will repudiate their promises as expressed in their printed policy issued before the last election,” continued Mr. Reed. “This policy, which was broadcast, dealt with defence as follows:—‘New Zealand shall honour its obligations to the. Motherland by co-operation a 3 far as possible in the matter of Imperial naval and aerial defence- — The Territorial System will be maintained.’ My association is non-party politically ln so far as it will actively oppose any political party which aims at weakening the national defence forces of New Zealand or would dispense with or in any way lessen the efficiency of the compulsory military training system at present in operation in the Dominion. “The Government proposals will wreck the defence system in Ndw Zealand and their proposals must be combated with vigour. The National Defence League with the co-operation of the Past and Present Territorials’ Association is considering what steps to take in this national emergency.”