Universal Military Training Not Supported by 2 N.Z.E.F. Assn.

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 38, 16 April 1948, Page 5

Universal Military Training Not Supported by 2 N.Z.E.F. Assn.

In a statement issued by the Dominion executive of the’2nd N.Z.E.F. Association, that body does not support the agitation from some quarters for the re-in-stitution of universal military training. It brands the “inveterate tendency to prepare for the war before the last one” as “criminally wasteful and futile.”

Ex-servicemen of this country have been quoted as being critical of the Government’s Defence Policy because it omits universal military training,” the statement says. “This Association, however, consisting entirely of, returned men and women of World War 11, congratulates the the Government on its realistic approach and its avoidance of the reintroduction of military training methods inevitably out-dated and with weapons already obsolete. Kiwis, having known modern war at first-hand, support the Govefnment in its all-important emphasis upon the function of a Defence Science Advisory Committee, whose recommendations must determine the basis of training required of defence forces. “With atomic, rocket and germ warfare already far in advance of common appreciation, the institution of universal military training of the old all-too-familiar pattern is regarded by this Association as a Rip van Winkle addition to the new defence policy. “The first, and most immediate requisite is obviously the integration of Dominion plans with those of the Committee of Imperial Defence. These call for'“a small, highly-spe-cialised force to defend the Commonwealth as a unit iin the atomic age. Service Chiefs believe that this plan will provide an efficient machine with a minimum demand on manpower.” The regular Armed Forces of this Dominion are now being recruited on a voluntary basis. Therefore, manning to establishment will depend upon the provision of adequate rates of pay, conditions of "service, progressive trade training and satisfactory rehabilitation measures.

The regular Armed Forces must bei made attractive as a career, thus avoiding the earlier discontent of peace time services. A new and generous policy is called for. \ What of the Territorial Forcie plan? Methods of recruitment are to be announced later when regular personnel have been trained and are available for this work. That clearly puts first things first. If the principle of conscription has been accepted by this, country, all that remains is definition of the compulsory citizen training envisaged. Small-arms and artillery training, “square-bashing” and the whole rigmarole of the past cannot be regarded as relevant to atomic war. We do not want the old territorial system re-in-troduced.. We were told to “forget all the stuff” when we en- t listed in 1939-40. Methods of * scientific warfare make any i such revival ludicrous. \ The mechanised arms of the Se'r- > vices, with such equipment as this country may possess, might afford some useful Territorial training, but this again awaits the determination of a syllabus in scientific warfare drawn by the Service chiefs and the Defence Science Advisory Committee. : ...

Fundamental to any such scheme i of technical education. and defence science, this Association has always urged national physical fitness through athletics, group discipline games and commando courses, ’the Medical Corps, A.S.C., Engineers, Air Force, Aero Clubs and radar services could.give technical training of, value. But at all times the inveterate tendency to' prepare for the war before the last one must be avoided as criminally wasteful and futile. >'