"THE PEOPLE'S OWN."

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 11110, 6 May 1911, Page 6

"THE PEOPLE'S OWN."

MILITARY TRAINING. SPEECH BY GENERAL CODLEY. "TRUST YOUR SOLDIERS." (By TelcKrapU.—Special Correspondent.! Auskland, May 5. Major-Genoral Godlcy, Commandant of tlio New Zealand Defence Forces, in tlio course of an address at Dargaville, explained some points in regard to the new defence scheme on which there appears to bt> some doubt and misapprehension. He said a matter which had caused a good deal of alarm was the number of drills and camps. The absolute minimum had been fixed at 30 drills of an hour and a half each, six whole-day parades of six hours, or 12 half-day'parades of thrco hours, and seven days in camp. This was very littlo training, and it seemed almost impossible to create an army with such a small amount of drill. However, tlio conditions in the country were particularly favourable, and witli the natural ability of tlio young New Zealander, and his aptitude for outdoor snorts, there was a better chance of building up an effective citizen army with a small amount of training than anywhere elso oil earth. Some thought the amount of time devoted to training too much, but ho would point out that the parades, apart from tlio seven days' camp, could be lumped into two weekend camps of three days each, or could bo worked off on half-holidays from 1 to 7 p.m. In districts with a scattered population, whore men would have to como long distances, arrangements would bo made, to allow men to work off their drills and parades by lumping them together into a week or less. In dairying districts especially, many difficulties would bo encountered, but every consideration would be shown to those who found it impossible to attend drills. The officers would be instructed to arrange the drills as far as possible to suit those who were really anxious to do their training. The only psoplo who would meet with no consideration were those who tried to get out of doing their share, and ho had found these were practically non-existent. The interests of employers would also bo considered, and the employees of one firm would bo enrolled in different brandies of the service, so that no business would ho dislocated by the. employees being all called out for drill at once. Tlio scheme was the people's own. It had not been forced on them. They had to accept the responsibility. There was no spirit of militarism in tlio scheme. He had not been brought out to create a conscript army. Nothing was further from tlio minds of the Government. This scheme was the people's, not tlio soldiers', and ho'and other officers were but the instruments to carry out tho details. Unless they got tho assistance of the people this would bo very difficult, but ho was glad to say that ho had everywhere received the greatest assistance from all classes. Ho appealed to them to take an interest in their soldiers, and givo them every possible encouragement. At last year's Aldcrshot manoeuvres, in which 25,00(1 men took part, the commander decided to do away with the military police and trust tho men, and iu spite of many gloomy prophecies tho experiment was a success, there being practically no drunkenness, because tlio men were trusted. Ho was convinced, that, if the Empire's soldiers were trusted, even bettor results would be obtained than at present, and he asked theiii I to-tr'iifet.l tli'eir soldiers.

CENERAL CODLEY'S MOVEMENTS. AN INTERVIEW. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, May 5. The Commandant of the New Zealand Defence Forces, Major-General Godley returned from his North Auckland tour this afternoon and left by the Main Trunk express this evening lor Wellington. Ho will remain in tho capital city for a few days and will then visit Invcrcargill and Southland; and subsequently New Plymouth and Hawke's Bay before the time for registration expires on June 2. When he has completed these tours ho v.ill liavis paid flying visits to practically every district in the Dominion. Interviewed by a "Herald" repiesentative before Ins departure General Godley stated that , he was very well satisfied with tho progress ho found being mado everywhere with'tlio registration, and the evident anxiety of everyone to register as soon as the details' were given of how it was to bo , dope, and where the registration papers wero to bo sent. When the registration was completed tho work of portioning th,» men to their units would then be. undertaken. He did not. anticipate- beiiic able- to make a start with the training of the new men before August at the earliest.

Asked when tho field batteries would bo equipped with tho now field Runs General Godley replied: "I anticipate that .some of tho new field RU ns for tne batteries will reach tho Dominion before the. end of tho year. The new guns will lio 18-ponmlors with which tho untish Array is equipped at present. ,.