“KEEP THE TERRITORIALS”

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1027, 18 July 1930, Page 10

“KEEP THE TERRITORIALS”

SIR GEORGE RICHARDSON ON DEFENCE NEW ZEALAND’S DUTY “I am convinced that the people do not grasp the position and the seriousness of such a drastic measure, which has been executed under the veil of secrecy. There is a justified call throughout the country to economise and no one would suggest that defence should be immune, but why should it not be done in a common-sense way in order that New Zealand may continue to fulfil those definite obligations to the Empire.” TN these terms, Major-General Sir George Richardson has commented upon the Government’s move to suspend compulsory military training. He favours an economy move In the defence system, but holds that !t should have been carried out only with the knowledge of prominenmilitary authorities who have the experience of the past, and a thorough understanding of the position. For years past New Zealand has had definite obligations to the Mothei Country. These were set down juo! as they would be today, said Sir George, but it is difficult to realise just what these obligations are today when the Government would abolish military training "in one fell swoop.” New Zealand goes to England for her loans, her markets; in fact, most things, and in return there is one moral and definite obligation to fulfil. that of defence. The prosperity ot England runs hand in hand with the prosperity of New Zealand. PHYSICAL TRAINING The territorial force should by all means be maintained, holds fcjir George, while the cadet system could be done away with to give place to physical training. The Government has distinctly gone about the thing in the wrong way. The fighting machine, the units of the territorial forces, should not be abolished or interfered with unless the Government has some new system in view and if this is so, why are the people not taken into confidence. There have been many treaties to outlaw war, and Sir George says he is a keen and enthusiastic supporter of the League of Nations. In the heart of Switzerland is Geneva, the seat of the League of Nations, but the Swiss still have their citizen army on which was based the New Zealand system of defence. England has more to lose by war than any other country in the world, and the Motherland’s leaders are in every sense of the word champions of peace. Surely under such circumstances. New Zealand can disarm at a proportionate rate with the Old Country. The Dominion’s politicians cannot set an example for the rest of the world. They must be guided by those with greater experience, and who are in closer touch. “A NATION IN ARMS” Sir George quotes from "A Nation in Arms,” by the late Lord Roberts: "The essential idea of national service is the participation, from motives of patriotism only, of the whole body of citizens in the defence of the State, It regards such service as the first right, as well as the first duty, which freedom confers.” Sir George is of the opinion that the volunteer system would not be satisfactory. Times have changed, and the youth of today would not provide that efficiency and discipline which is the keynote to the success of any army. He has too many other attractions. In Europe there is physi cal training for those termed cadets in New Zealand, and that method of preparing for tho future defence of the country is fine, but the territorials, the actual machine of defence, which fulfils a duty and obligation to the Empire, should not be abolished.