DEFENCE FORCES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 425, 17 November 1930, Page 8

DEFENCE FORCES

MAJOR YOUNG’S WISH EFFICIENT PROVISION WANTED. | Per Press Association. I WELLINGTON, Nov. 16. Remarking that his soldiering was now coming tu a close. Major-General Young, G.O.C. New Zealand Fordes, when”spcaking at the annual reunion of the Wellington Regiment, N.Z.E.F., on Saturday evening, said it was his great wish to "leave a good show behind him” in the way of permanent defence forces before he retired from his present position. "1 have never been quick at. putting up the S.O.S..’’ sail! Mhjor-General Young said, "but I am not going to put it up yet, though if I did 1 know there would be many who would stand by me. I am coming close to the eiid of mv soldiering and I would like to leave a good show behind me. Six or seven months ago I could have said that was the position. I must leave behind me a good permanent force, and if I do that New Zealand will be all right, whatever may happen.” “I would like you in your general talk.” the General concluded, ‘‘to

stress that one of the best things you can have, if you cannot have a territorial force, is a good permanent force that you can gel out at the sound ot the first gun.” . .

Reference to the present position ot the defence forces was also made by several other speakers during the eveu-

'-•Tiie mime von have given the regiment should still be carried on,” Colonel G. 11. Hall, ex-president of the Wellington U.S.A., sal I when proposing the toast ot “ The Regiment. It was indeed greatly to be r .grafted that thu.-H who had given service and had done so much in training in the old davs, now saw before them a state ot affairs that would provide no adequa .e defence force in the future. “It be hoves us to rallv round and help to make the defence scheme efficient in every way.” he said, adding that it he were a voting man and were aine to do so. he would start a company t i morrow, training those present. Others in a similar position had gone through and would be lost to those following on for the next 10 or 15 years. 1 u reply to a toast. Lieut.-Colonel W H Cunningham, D. 5.0., said he was proud to assure the gathering that the territorial battalions were proud ot the traditions that had been earned on and handed down by those who had fought with the Regiment in the war. Among those present at the g at “* r ' in"- were: Lieut.-Colonel Avery. C.AI.G., (President of the Wellington R.’s’a.), Lieut.-Colonel Cunningham, D. 5.0., and three of the seven New Zealanders who won the \ .C. in the war. Capt. L. W. Andrew and Lieut. J. G. Grant and Lieut. 18. Frickleton.