A NEW ZEALAND VETERAN BATTALION

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 228, 14 June 1918, Page 6

A NEW ZEALAND VETERAN BATTALION

Sir,—The time is now ripe to discuss the advisability of seucLuig a, regiment of returned soldiers to tho scat «.' war. Undoubtedly tliere are a number who would willingly volunteer it' they were assured that veteran officers they knew, or whom they had served under at tho front, were to train and lead them in the fight, and they wore not asked to go through the drudgery of the goose step, squad drill, etc., afld minor recruit instruction, especially under drill instructors who have, not yet been under fire. The following schema is suggested for this proposal:— A battalion—even battalions—formed of officers and other ranks who have icturned from the seat of war. After rejoining they ! be put through a modified course, including musketry, bayonet, physical training, and Lewis gun under instructors who have served at the front. The course to consist of eight weoks. No final leave to be granted. The regiment to proceed to tho front intact and fight as one unit. Even if such a battalion was unable to stand the same amount of physical exertion as those composed of youug soldiers, this ivouid be amply compensated for by the expert knowledge of its members, and the value of their all having been tested under n'rn. All would be volunteers, and the discipline and efficiency would both be of a high order, in order to eliminate alt those who wish to rejoin for the kudos and not for the fighting.—l nm, etc, FIGKTEB.