“NOT OUR BUSINESS”

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1043, 6 August 1930, Page 7

“NOT OUR BUSINESS”

HARBOUR BOARD DISCUSSES MILITARY TRAINING NO OPINION GIVEN Varied opinions * concerning the Government’s action in abolishing compulsory military training were heard at a meeting of the Auckland Harbour Boara yesterday afternoon. A letter* was received from the Past and Present Territorial Association, asking the board to give an expression of opinion on compulsory military training, and if loss to employers of time spent in training was offset by the national value of the service. The chairman, Mr. M. IT. Wynyard, said that he was in favour of military training and it was a question which the board could well consider. Being a country in one far corner of the world. New Zealand should at least be in a position to defend itself if the occasion should arise. At present the only objection to military training was on account of the financial position and in the face of this it would be in order to postpone training for a time, but not permanently. Mr. Wynyard moved that the board uphold the system of compulsory military training. “I will move an amendment that the letter be merely received,” said Mi' Mackenzie “I do not feel that the members were elected to this board to voice opinions on such questions, and if we consider this one we will have scores of others of a similar nature coming along.”

Mr. C. G. Macindoe, in seconding the amendment, supported Mr. Ma<cKenzie’s remarks. “I don’t feel that we are elected, here to discuss anything other than Harbour Board affairs and I think it would be a dangerous mo\e to give this letter consideration,” he said. Other members of the board expressed, the opinion that there was no reason why the board should make comment on such a national question In supporting the amendment, Mr Blood worth said that if the letter had come from the Returned Soldiers’ Association or some other body of standing, there would be reason for the letter to be heard This association was not well known and had possibly been brought into existence for the purpose of writing the letter. "I do not agree with the system of military training. I never have and never will believe that it is of any use to this country,” said Mr. Bloodworth. “New Zealand is the only part of the Britten Empire where the compulsory system is in existence and it has proved itself of little use in the actual training of soldiers. But I principally supporr the amendment because I do not consider that it is any business of ours.” “This letter has been sent to other local bodies,” said M_\ Wynyard. “The board should concern itself with the question just as other bodies and associations have concerned them selves. We have a big staff employed and the question should be considered by us.” The motion was lost and it was decided to receive the letter.