MILITARY TRAINING

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 56, Issue 4046, 11 May 1938, Page 8

MILITARY TRAINING

APPEAL TO EMPLOYERS. SUGGESTION TO FORM, A TERRITORIAL ASSOCIATION. The local Chamber of Commerce, at the meeting on Tuesday evening, evinced a keen interest in the subject of military training. Lieut. R. S. Sinclair and Lieut. McDonald (Staff Area Officer at Hamilton) were present by invitation, and the president, in according them a hearty welcome, referred to the importance of Empire defence, and the need for arousing a healthy public interest in national defence, with particular reference to military training facilities. He said he felt sure the commercial community all over New Zealand would gladly co-operate with the Government of the day in devising and supporting* a form of defensive training and preparation of the manhood of the Dominion. DESIRE TO HELP. Mr J. Oliphant said the subject of national defence had been discussed by the council of the Chamber, but as there was some doubt about the position of the local sections of the country’s defence, it was decided to invite Lieuts. Sinclair and McDonald to inform business men, so that help could be given if at all possible. Lieut. Sinclair said neither he nor Lieut. McDonald were authorised to make statements for publication, and then he concisely explained the personnel of the various units in which Te Awamutu and neighbourhood would be interested. Certain specialists were enrolled, and the combined group of Te Awamutu, Otorohanga, Te Kuiti and Raglan was expected to provide a minimum of one infantry company of 130 of all ranks. Of that strength the number who went into the last camp was disappointing. Members expressed astonishment at the paucity of the representation. MILITARY STRENGTH. Reference was also made to the military strength in the whole of Auckland province, and the impression gained was that the military forces of the province are but a tithe of the former strength—and numbers are steadily becoming fewer. He considered an improvement could be assured by the full co-operation of the employers of youths in affording them the opportunity for attending camps and parades without the youths having wages deducted while in camp undergoing periodical training. Lieut. McDonald suggested that a citizens’ association might be formed in Te Awamutu to foster military training, much on the lines of the one functioning in Auckland city. A fortnight’s framing annually was looked upon as a minimum with a period of six days in camp, with occasional afternoon or evening parades. The trainees were paid 4s per day while Jin camp. Locally parades are he’d (usually in the evenings) for two hours fortnightly, and very few of the trainees had been able to go to camp. Evening parades were chiefly devoted to the theory of military tactics; obviously practical training could not be undertaken anywhere but in camp. CITIZENS’ ASSOCIATION. To questions, Lieut. McDonald said a citizens’ association was not functioning in the Waikato. Lieut. Sinclair, to another question, said the average young man was not imbued with a desire for military training. Employers could inculcate a more healthy attitude, by encouraging their young employees to enroll and undertake training. Mr Cavers told of his observations while attending the Anzac Parade in Sydney, and remarked that perhaps the uniforms here were so drab as to be unattractive. In Sydney regiments with a brighter uniform all have a waiting list, while those with khaki uniforms have trouble in enrolling recruits. Maybe the psychological effect should be considered. Lieut McDonald said he understood the Defence authorities intended to brighten up the uniform of the forces; but he still thought the chief need was fuller co-operation by the employers. ONUS ON EMPLOYERS. Mr Savill expressed the opinion that the tendency seemed to be to throw the onus on the employer of young men. It seemed fair to expect somebody else to he l " contribute to the expense of the country as a whole. To provide a section or platoon from Te Awamutu going into camp meant that a few' employers only bore most of the expense. Lieut. Sinclair made it clear that the authorities did not expect the employers to pay their men while- in camp. They were pa d 4s per day by the Government. Some of the men in camps were on salaries of £4OO a year in civilian life. It was expected that the trainees would be willing to sacrifice something. The employers were asked to give their men leave to attend camp. SCHOOL CADETS. Mr Savill directed attention to the fine work being done by the Te Awamutu District High School Cadets, and said that one of the members had attained remarkable distinction in being chosen as a cadet at Duntroon Mil’tary College in Australia. He wondered what became of those lads after leaving school. Lieut McDonald pointed out that the authorities lost touch with them, for the territorial forces only dealt with young fellows at least 18 vears of age. It was, in the opinion of many, a weak spot in the scheme that there was a gap of two years. Mr Cavers thought a Territorial Association should be formed in Te Awamutu with a view to popularising military training. Furthermore a fund could also be created, if thought desirab’e, from which a young man making an undue sacrifice in attending camp could be compensated, at least in part. DATE OF CAMPS. To a question, Lieut. McDonald said different sections of the forces went into camp at varying dates. Infantry usually go into camp during Febru-

ary and mounted men in April or May. To the president, Lieut. McDonald stated as his opinion that formation of a Territorial Association in Te Awamutu would assist materially in stimulating recruiting in the forces. Lieut. Sinclair said a healthier viewpoint could be inculcated by employers encouraging trainees to undergo regular training in camps. At present the tendency among young fellows was to ignore military training. It was suggested that employers who allow their young men to go to camp have, in many cases, to fill the vacancy on staffs, thus entailing more expense—either extra help has to be engaged, or the rest of the staff have to be paid overtime. Mr Oliphant supported the idea of forming a Territorial Association. Much good could result. SACRIFICES COMPARED. Mr Cavers said too much weight may be given to the cost to the employer. In h’s judgment, the young trainee of to-day would be the first to volunteer for active service if danger threatened. He would thus be making a much greater sacrifice than the employers were now requested to make in the matter of allowing their employees time off to attend to military duties. A suggestion was made that the cooperation of the Farmers’ Union should be sought, and Mi* Cavers replied that he was sure the executive, which included so many ex-soldiers, would willingly do everything possible. Personally, he was very keen on military training*, and would like to see the old spirit revived. MILITARY CONVOY. Lieut. McDonald told of the recent visit to Te Awamutu of the military convoy, and especially referred to the motor cyclist unit. Throughout the southern part of the province he had found a very keen and enthusiastic support by young fellows who owned motor cycles. They had co-operated in fine military style, and not the least effective and impressive were the lads from Te Awamutu. The speaker went on to give details of the latest mechanisation of the military forces, with equipment that was motorised and therefore much more efficient. The motor cycle platoons seemed to appeal to the majority, and the whole of the service appeared to be more attractive to young men. After some further discussion it was decided to seek the approval of the Auckland Command officers to steps being taken to convene a public meeting in Te Awamutu with the object of forming a Territorial Association.