“KEEP THE TERRITORIALS”

Taranaki Daily News, 25 July 1930, Page 15

“KEEP THE TERRITORIALS”

SIR G. RICHARDSON’S VIEWS. OBLIGATIONS TO THE EMPIRE. “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 had* commented upon the Government’s move to suspend compulsory military training. He favours an economy move in the defence system, but holds that it should have been carried out only with . the knowledge of prominent military authorities who have the experience of the past, and a thorough understanding of the position. For yearp past New Zealand has had definite obligations to the Mother Country. These were set down just as they would be to-day, said Sir George, but it is difficult to realise just what these obligations are to-day. 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 of England runs hand in hand with the prosperity of New Zealand. The territorial force should by all means be maintained, holds Sir 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 wrono- 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, but the Swiss still have their citizen army on which was based the New Zealand system of defence. England has. more, tp 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 Qld 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 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 wi-H 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 to-day would not provide tliat efficiency and discipline which is the keynote to the success of any army. He has too- many other attractions. In Europe there is physical training for those termed cadets in New Zealand, and that method of preparing for the 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.