TE AWAMUTU COURIER. Printed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. FRIDAY, 26th MAY, 1939. THE MILITARY RESERVE.

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 58, Issue 4189, 26 May 1939, Page 4

TE AWAMUTU COURIER. Printed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. FRIDAY, 26th MAY, 1939. THE MILITARY RESERVE.

THERE was a chorus of “I told you so!” Irom many quarters when it was announced that the Government had decided' to establish the National Military Reserve, and many questions were promulgated after a perusal of the Prime Minister’s all too brief an-

nouncement. But Mr Savage cut some of the ground from under the feet qf the questioners when he authorised the Defence Department's memorandum published a day or two later. This makes it clear that the scheme-provides for more than the mere mass enrolment of men between the ages of 20 and 55, as suggested by Mr Savage’s outline of the Government’s proposal. The reserve is to consist, of . three classes of volunteers, and due regard is to be paid not only to the service records of men who enlist, but also to training received in the Territorial Forces. Thys the peace time training of men under the compulsory system, which was discontinued in October, 1930, will not have been w-asted. These men (up to the age of 35) will become, as it were, part of the first line of reservists, from which the Territorial Army may if necessary, be built up to war strength.

The grouping of the class 2 reservists is self-explanatory, and it is to be expected that the recruiting for this class, which embraces returned soldiers and ex-regulars, who will be called upon for fortress, garrison and guard duty, will'be brisk. Indeed, exservice men. have . already displayed their willingness to prepare for the defence of their country by volunteering for artillery training and for searchlight and signals work, and at least one refresher course has already been held. No stimulus of propaganda'should be required in order to rally R.SiA. members. Time does not change the Anzac spirit. So far as the class 3 recruits are concerned,, .it is likely that some fuller explanation of the training scheme will be required. No time should be lost in providing this, for time is the essence of-the contract in creating New Zealand’s preparedness. Class 3 will consist of men between the ages of 33 and 55, who have had no previous military training or experience. It is intended that they should form (a) a reserve to classes 1 and 2; (b) a general reserve, and (c) a reserve “for any other purpose of which the Government may require their services.” The vagueness of this classification will not encourage recruits, most of whom, be it remembered, are to be drawn from the ranks of men with family responsibilities. However willing they are to serve, these men will want to know what lies before them —what their commitments are to be. It is proper that the nature and duration of the class 3 training be revealed before citizens are confronted with question No. 12. on the reserve enrolment card now being issued at post offices—a question as to the number of days’ notice required before taking up duty.

As soon as the complete details of the scheme as a whole have been set before the public, a Dominion-wide recruiting campaign should, and doubtless will, be undertaken. The Defence League has done, and is continuing to do, valuable platform work of an educative character. Its readiness to co-operate with the Government is proved by its early response to the Prime Minister’s request to withdraw its own enrolment cards and support the national scheme. The example set by the league’s activities should be followed without delay, and a forthright, personal message addressed to every New Zealander who can be of use to his country in the event of emergency.