TERRITORIAL TRAINING

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 12, 9 October 1919, Page 5

TERRITORIAL TRAINING

When the Defence Estimates were under consideration in the House last night Mr. C. A. Wilkinson asked for « statement from the Minister regarding the future policy of military training. The general idea, he said, w that young men were to be called into camp for some months. Sir James Allen: I havo said that this will not 'be done this year. Mr. AVilkinson: But what about the future?

Sir James Allen: That will be a matter for the. next Parliament to decide.

Mr. Wilkinson: AVould it not be bettor to say that it is still an open question? Sir James Allen: It is still an o;,"i! question. Mr. Wilkinson said that the utmost candour should be adopted by the Minister and the Government. No sclipiih? should be> sprung on thu country suddenly. He also asked for an assurance regarding the future Defence expenditure. It was now half a million. Ho hoped it would not be moro when the Expeditionary Force was broken up. He also said something about fears entertained as to the importation of the equipment of two divisions into Now Zealand. Was it to be supposed that there would be !! ureat military machine set up in New Zealand ? 'Sir Jamee Allen said that there would be no change in policy regarding Territorial training this year, and the amount on the Estimates would cover the cost of operations for the year. Even if a change ivere mado next year, he hoped that tho sum voted would be sufficient for requirements. The equipment o£ two divisions was coming out to New Zealand, but this already belonged to New Zealand, and it was coming out at little or no cost to the country.