DEFENCE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160740, 28 August 1920, Page 5

DEFENCE.

THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY DISCUSSED BY THE HOUSE. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, August 27. The House met at 2.30. After transaction of formal business, which lasted but a few miuuteSj the House went into Committee of Supply to further consider the Estimates. The first class taken was; Defence Department, £550,593. The Hon. Sir H. ilhodes, Minister in charge, said he wanted to make it clear to the House that the Estimates before them were for the current year. Therefore the bulk of the items to be voted were money which had already been expended. He had not been long enough in office to definitely formulate a new scheme of defence, but that scheme was under consideration. He, however, could inform the House that it was the definite intention of Cabinet to reduce the expenditure of the Defence Department. Mr Wilford said he desired to stress the need for economy in this department, and put in a plea for the retention of rifle clubs as an integral part of the Defence Department. Mr McCallum passed a high encomium on Major-General Chaytor as a military leader, and praised the defence policy outlined by him in his report, which, he said, ought to have been adopted by the Minister and submitted to the House. Mr Witty complained that the House was being asked to vote money on defence, but yet was being kept entirely in the dark as to what the future policy of the department was. He advocated the training of youths while at school, but care must be taken not to create a military spirit. Mr Holland complained of the enormous amount of money required for defence purposes in peace time as compared with war time. No information could be obtained regarding the number of officers now employed, nor could they obtain any information regarding what the future policy of the department was going to be. He urged the Minister to toll the House whether he was prepared to adopt Sir James Allen’s plan for sending boys into camp for four months in the year. In order to give the House an opportunity of protesting against the huge dcfcnco expenditure, ho moved the reduction of the Headquarters vote of £8,979 by £l.

Replying to various criticism, tho Minister was not always audible, but he was understood to say that rifle clubs would not fit in with the Territorial scheme. It was not proposed to continue tho training of youths after 21 or 22 years. No barracks system would be employed, and there would he no training for months, but the period of training would probably extend over a fortnight or six weeks. Tho Half day and full day parades, which created so much irritation in country districts, would, in fact, be abolished altogether. A good deal of the increased cost of the Department was duo to increased wages, salaries, and tho price of material. In this connection the chief item of tho increase was in small arm ammunition. Prior to tho war they paid £28,000 per annum for this item. To-day it was costing them £IOO,OOO. Mr Sullivan declared that the Government’s Defence expenditure indicated very little faith in the League of Nations. Mr Sidey and the Hon. Hanan complained of being kept in the dark as to what was being done by the Department. They also urged reduction in the expenditure. Mr Lysnar considered that the position of the Defence expenditure was entirely satisfactory. They could accept the Minister’s assurance that the expenditure would be reduced, and he would vote against the amendment. Mr Wilford said the real weakness in our Defence system was the fact, that the Minister was a Territoral officer. What was needed more than anything else was a civilian mind dealing with military problems. Mr Howard contended that a groat deal of the money spent on military defence should bo diverted to naval defence, which must bo our first line. Our military system was lopsided. At one end we bad tho man with tho brass bat and tho big salary; at tho other end we had the boy, who often bad not sufficient food at homo to build up his strength of body. Such a system could not be a success. Mr Masters complained that military salaries were often higher than educational salaries. Mr Massey remarked that tho Government was calling for applications for a head of the Education Department at £1250 per annum. The discussion was proceeding when the House rose at 5.30. The House resumed at 7.30. Discussion on the Estimates was continued on the Defence Department class. Mr McCombs urged that the lower ranks should get a living wage. The Minister pointed out that singlo men started at 10s per day, and in addition received housing, fuel and light free, with increased pay of a penny per day for every year of service. The Defence Department was the only one that provided an automatic increase in this way. Mr Howard contended that nothing should be done during a boy’s school years to interfere with his training for industrial purposes by insisting on compulsory military training. Mr Nash urged greater support and encouragement of Rifle Clubs. Mr Atmore stressed the necessity of having as head of the Defence Department a civilian to watch the interests of the people. He could bo guided by experts on technical matters, but bis chief duty was to watch the interests of the people who pay for the service. Mr Atmore emphasised the value of physical training. It was useless to say boys had not time to tram. The fact was they could not afford not to be trained. The country must have its small defence force thoroughly efficient and ready for any emergency. Dr Newman thought public discontent with defence was born of ignorance, which would be dissipated if the Government promulgated a comprehensive policy..

Mr Downie Stewart said tho Defence Estimates liad been generally so well received that it would be a graceful act if the member for Boiler withdrew his amendment, as it was very desirable there should bo unanimity on this matter at this time. The only real criticism had been concerned with expense. In a country such as this tho defence system could only be democratic in character, but to secure this wo must have universal training. It must necessarily be expensive. Tho

suggestion that the Minister of Defence should be a civilian buffer between the professional soldier and Parliament was untenable. He hoped the Minister would not allow efficiency to be sacrificed for the sake of a possible small financial reduction. Mr Holland said his objection was not to the officers or anyone personally, but to the system. Now the war was over there might be seme indication of a rcdu.iion of defence expenditure, yet, compared with 191-1, wo now had 400 less personnel, while the expenditure had gone up by £50,000. Mr Mitchell urged proper recognition of the work done by Major Pickorlll in treating cases, of soldiers suffering from facial injuries. The Minister agreed that Major Pickcrill had done good work, which could not be too highly appreciated. Tho Minister, replying to Mr Sidey, said it was proposed to divide tho country into three military districts under the. new defence scheme—two in tho North Island and ono in the Smith—-as a. means towards securing a reduction of expense. He mentioned also that the cadet scheme would be carried on to the age of 18 in two sections—the lirst for physical training, and the second for military instruction. This would be followed by an annual camp, tho duration of which had not yet been decided. At 11.35 a division on Mr Holland’s amendment was reached, when tin amendment was defeated by 43 to 9. The whole class was then passed.