“RIFLE CLUBS ARE USELESS.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19036, 3 April 1930, Page 3

“RIFLE CLUBS ARE USELESS.”

AUSTRALIAN OFFICER’S VIEWS ON TRAINING. (Special to the “ Star.”) AUCKLAND, April 3. “ I have read with some concern the reports that the New Zealand Government has decided to abolish training camps and the suggestion that in future training would be per medium of civil axdation and rifle clubs,” states a visiting Australian volunteer officer this morning. “In my opnion rifle clubs are useless as a means of training men for the field. Except in the special case of ‘ snipers ’ there is no need for expert rifle shots in modern warfare, as the machine gun, bomb thrower and howitzer are the recognised small arm of

the army. Trenches in the Great War were as close as fifty yards from each opposing force. Then there is the question of discipline. The military training gained at camps instils into the mind of the trainee the great importance of discipline, which is vital to the whole army, and it has been amply demonstrated in recent years that the annual and week-end camps are far better from a training point of view than the weekly parade of about two hours’ duration. Grave Concern. I “ In Australia the abolition by the Commonwealth Labour Government of compulsory military training has been received with grave concern and misgivings by large sections of the people. In many circles it is regarded merely as a gesture by Labour and is a continuation of propaganda that has been carried out for years. It. does not involve any saving of expense to the Commonwealth, but has rather increased the expenditure, as it has been realised that some effective system of defence is necessary and vital to the future policy of Australia and the overseas Dominions. “ Labour objects to compulsory military training and at the same time supports compulsion in many other avenues. For instance, compulsion to join trade unions as a worker of Australia is enforced, also compulsion to vote at elections. This shows incon-

sistency. One of the greatest fears that Australia has to-day is invasion by Japan. What would be the position of the Labour Party if attack came from that quarter? Would it be a question of voluntary service or would every man be called upon to serve? Is it not a fact that the country would have a chance of being conquered while men were in camp undergoing training? Civil Aviation. “ In respect to civil aviation,” he continued, “ there is no comparison in regard to the training of pilots, compared with military training. The two units are entirely different. The military man is trained in night flying, blind flying, gunnery in the air, bomb dropping, spotting and communications. This includes wireless and signalling; •while the civil aviator is taught to fly his machine only and handle his controls. After a certain number of hours in the air he is granted a pilot’s license. Aerial services in Australia which are now being carFied on successfully with a minimum of accidents, had in their inauguration pilots with war experience who were trained with the air force. For example, there were Pilots Heath. Brain and KingsfordSmith. Therefore, it can be readily appreciated that the Government would be wasting time and money dilly-dally-ing with rifle clubs and civil aviation as a means of preparing for the adequate defence of the country.”