NATIONAL DEFENCE
POLICY OF NEW LEAGUE
STATEMENT BY GENERAL RUSSELL
A WHITE NEW ZEALAND
WOMEN IN TRAINING CAMPS
Tho following policy statement was issued yesterday by Major-General Sir A. H. Russell, president of the recentlyformed National Defence I/.'ague of New Zealand:— "In explaining tho policv of the ro-cently-formed Nntional Defence League of New Zealand, of which I have the honour to be president, I desire to emnhasiso several important factor® for the consideration ?f the people of this coimIrv. 'Die fact of the matter is that the world to-day is tired of war and its lOioiniriations. tired of everythjng it frronght in its train, and all i.'l'nt it meant, and not unnaturally n ieejiug ot lassitude has crept over people, and made them inclined, to nut the whole subjnet out of their minds, and relax into an attitude, not exactly of indifference, but •.f dislike for the whole thins. _ People, in consequence, jhnve been asking wiie-! rliov there is any need again to take np 1 national, defence/ It was in order to eninhasise that need that, the National Defence League -was formed at a largelyattendod meeting held in AVelington some days ago. Plenty of peonle have been tak'ne as a motto the dictum—of the President of the United States, I think -that the late war was 'a war to end war.' There has been no greater fallacy. Not only do.sucli people say. 'turn your swords into ploughshares'; tliev ur<re us to turn our backs on the whole question r;t national defence. There are nlentv ot these falsri nrophets abroad to-day. Iney wooak smooth tliimrs, but we nuijt not listen to them. • There can bo no question of a war to end'war. War cannot lie (Wven out by war, any more than an liflicient nolice forco can do a\yny with cximc. The abolition of wnr demands the removal nf causes which Hp deenlj imbedded in human nature. When the individual and the nation have been educated io a full realisation of their dutifn I t«u<l mnonsibilities, thero will be no need for police, or defence lenuues. or compul>ory/military service; but. that day is not yet'. There is. therefore, need for a Wiie of this kind to wake people up to the importance of bpimr prenarrel to defend their ideals and their prouertj, as well as to be able to do their duty, not only to this country, but to the Empire mid to the race to which we belong.
"In No Sense Political." "The National Befence League. is ih no Rens9 party political. It has not ton, to do with party politics whatever. No aro a league formed, so far as defence 19 concerned, to help the Government, what, ever Government happens to lie in pow. er to do duty; because Government!., Ijko the rest of us, can only go as far as circumstances and public opinion nU low them. It is tlie mission of the league to educate the electorate on the need for an efficient defence organisation, and when- it has done that citizens maj be mire that the Government will <16 Its duty. What is the position now? I understand that no fewer than ten members of the House " f , liveware pledged to go hack to tli3 (•arv svstem. Many of the members of the league have worked under that sys. tern and know that it was absolutely impossible. They know that it was no insurance at all; tlib money that v s spent upon it, I cannot say was entirely wasted, but it was very nearly so. LUo people of Now Zealand can no more expert to have an efficient defence foice under the voluntary system than to have good roads if they are to bs left to pay their rates.or not as they like. Under the voluntary system those in charge cannot know what t.bey have got. Jno responsibility for whatever system ot defence wo possess rests* with the electorsi'it rests with everyone and what the league proposes to do is to educato the country by means of propaganda--to stir up its friends and to convert it* opponents. To those of the latter who aro Rocialistically minded, I would »übhilt that universal, obligation m the matter of defence is the one concrete example of Socialism which has stood the teat of experience and practice. I believe that if the position is put forward c early and in a reasoned fashion, without rhetoric or froth, the people will adopt the right course. What a Government want* is the reasoned support of the electors, not their unreasoned support, which is as bad for - Governments as for individuals;
Price of Inefficiency. : 'There is one factor which the people of this country require to specially hear in mind in relation to defence, and that is that any money allocated for defence purposes to-day is worth far less than it would have been in 1913, and if the' Defence Forces are starved it will mean that they will be ill-trained and illequipped. That.means inefficiency, and Inefficiency in war means the unnecessary loss of 'life. How much this is so the people of New Zealand may realise from a recently published summary of the views of American generals. In 'The World's Work,' for November, 1919. it is-stated: 'Twenty-six out of thirty general officers, holding command in the American Expeditionary Force, who were asked what proportion of our battle losses was due to 'lack of training, replied, "At least half.'/ The other four were more conservative —one majorgeneral put it at about a third.' 11ns only confirms the statement made by the American Secretary, of State for previously, when he said that to thrust untrained citizens into the field is nothing short of death by Government order.' When I speak of not starving the Defence Farces, the people of this Dominion must not become imbued witii the idea that the league advocates extravagant. What the league wants is sound defence, run as economically as possible, on the least money that can be put down: but it does not want >o 'spoil the Ship for a ha'p'orth of tar. The actual'plan of defence, however, dota not come within the province <-i the league. That necessarily is a matter for the experts. First, the tioveruinent should have a policy, and the defence scheme should be framed to suit that policy. It would be idle for tho league composed of civilians, to say what urn the proper proposals in detail; but there are certain broad principles which It will uphold. If any radical changes are proposed-and cortain members arc pledged to revert to the voluntary sys-tem-it is the duty of the league to scrutinise such proposals carefully, and ' act according to its conclusions.
policy of the League Defined. "I now wish to direct attention to the specific aims and objects of the league, as sot out in its constitution. These are broadly defined as follow : , To maintain a White New Zealand; to secure the immunity of th» country from invasion; to educate the people of the country upon such measures of dcfenco as may be considered necessary. In the attainment, nf these objects the league specifically lays it down as its policy that it is not' desired to convert the manhood of this country into soldiers, but purely to ensure that every man who is capable of bearing arms 19 uiven sufficient military training U* enable him to obey the highest duty of citizenship by being able adequately to assist to protect lus counIrv sliould the occasion arise. In other words, the platform ot the le—ne sets forth that the Now /,calander is a' citizen, and only become* a soldier when he is required for the del'cnce ot his country. Where East Meets West. "\s to the policy of the league 'to (nai'ntain n White New Zealand,' I would point out that the storm centre of the world a few years ago was m the North .Sea. To-day it has shifted. U is moving lOastwnvd. So tar n» New Zealand is concerned it is nearer home. We in New Zealand, and our cousins in Australia, are actually the outputs of Western civilisation—of the white race Outposts are very honourable po-
nitions, but those who are on ontposi, work must look out for surprises and hard knocks, and act accordingly. We are at tho point where East meets West, both of them probably in their highest stage of development. It is trim that the East meets the West in the Eastern Mediterranean littoral; but there, there is a certain fusion. Here there is no fusion. A While New. Zealand means 110 fusion. That to the working man of New Zealand is of greater importance than io almost anyone else; for fusion means a lowering of the standards of life which have been built up in this country. It means the clashing of the Ideals of tho East with the ideals of the West. Of the two, ours may go under, unless we keep our shores inviolate. "Regarding the rest of the jMiragraph I have just quoted, I have to sta.e that if we can convert the manhood pi Uib country into good citizens we shall have a limiting force that will represent a "rent deal more in the eyes of a commander than would appear on paper. Good citizenship lies at the back ot tlie best soldiers.
The Lessons of th# War. "In order to achieve its objects tho league proposes to advocate tlie maintenance of an universal ' in" system.' The league holds that milltarv training should be universal, no on.lv for reasons of dc euce for win a. quota would possibly bo sufficient; but for'other reasons. Again the league uiw- 'As fav as practicable, He embodiment of tho lessons _of lue .M'O war in our universal defensive training fij.v tem' Here I wish to point out that the'lessons of the war were not. -uerely those connected with the handling of a platoon, or the. use of a machine-gun There are other things-great moral to sons which were learned as a result of the war. Another proposal in the league's platform is: 'The provision of •sufficient euns, rifles, and equipment so that the New Zealand Citizen Army, on mobilisation for the defence of our own shores, will bo able to take the field fully equipped, and will have sufficient spares for replacement.' At present I do not know what we have got, but it is very little.
Opposition to Militarism.
"One of the bogies raised by cnponent& to the introduction of sounci defensive training in the past was that rn attempt was being mado to introduce Miilitarism. So far as the members of the league are concerned, they loathe and despise iVnvtliing that breathes of that soirit, and tliov will have nothing to do with it- Another objection has been that compulsory training is contrary to democracy, «bd has a tendency to produce a gulf between officers and men. Anv other than a democratic detenco force in New Zealand is unthinkable, but & special clause to ensuro this is included in the objects of the league. This clause reads'. 'The icceptaneo of thu that in future no one, except in tliP case of the piiUie interest, can become a commissioned officer of the New Zealand Citizen Defence Forces unless ho has served three years in the wnks. I do not say that a perfect democratic ftiiny ennnot be obtained without that clause, but with it. flip accomplishment of the ideal should be perfectly safo.
Moral and Health Aspects.. There are four other proposals in the constitution of the league which call tor gpeeinl consideration. These are: The devotion of special .-attention to the moral training of the youth of this country, and tlieir euuca.ion 111 tlie idoals of go<xl citizenship. The strict suppression of nil bad ■language in camps, making its use punishable as in civilian life, Ihe fca"ue insists that this evil must, be put down with a strong hand, and demand? that the Defence Departments shall teko, practical steps to secure its eradication.
The taking of every possible precaution to pvesevve the health of boys ivhijj undergoing training in camp or elsewhere, with endeavours to improve the satue under proper medical sui.uvision; also educating trainees upon the obserrauee of health principles during both civilian and military life. 'l'he employment of selected womei to assist in cooking, ambulance work, and in all tlie institutes in camp where they can lie profitably a;.i! suitably employed. . These clause? are very important on the moral and physical development aspects .of military training. Regarding them I desire to state that any sound system of defence will cost money, that it means a sacrifice to everyone, but in considering this. it is only fair to looli at the other side of the ledger, cast up tliJ gains, and see what there is to credit Thero is first and foremost the insurance tluit wo shall he able to .<eep the country white, protect it from invasion, and perform our part jn the responsibility which we owe to the Empire. so that the standard of lving in this country will not be lowered or altered unless for the better. The second is another very-valuable asset—the moral asset.- I have, already made a reference to the lessons of the war. It produced, or rather developed, tho spirit of selfsacrifice the. lmbit of obedience, respect for other people's wisiies, and a better understanding of other people's needs. All these, came well to the front. In the war men were found learning to help each other, realising that they were part of n whole, and that they themselves did not matter very much, so long ns success wns attained by the whole iloii 7 team-worlc. That spirit is wanted abroad in this country to-day, and one means of promoting ill is by getting our youJitj manhood together, and. working together, each subordinating himself to a concerted phtn. I l ' have no doubt that Germany, beaten as she wns, gained immensely'in her industrial life by her system of military training, in so far that by it her people learned to work together. "Mnnv people must have been <.\emayed when the Council of Churches declared in no uncertain terms against our system of military training on the ground that the youth of tho country would be contaminated by undergoing • training in the camps. I cannot help I thinking that this was n reflection on I their ow.n work in the past, because tliiv could not produce a boy who would last out eight or ten days in caiup without going to pieces. I think that is only a reasonable inference.
Women and "The Science of Power." "I do not know how many people in New Zealand have read a book by Benjamin Kidd, 'Tho Science of Power.' Those who have will realise that I am about to refer to tho need for the wholehearted support of the wQjnen of Netr Zealand in this movement. Benjamin Kidd ascribes the power of the future very largely to women. Men are to do things, but women are to tell them Tfhiit to do, to encourage them towards objects of virtue, and point the way. Tho men nro to follow: I hopo they will. This league looks just as nmcli to the women of New Zealand as to the men of New Zealand lor support; iin.l has accordingly made special prevision for the inclusion of _ women in the government of its affairs, Women can see to it that the moral aspect of camp life is attended to. They, only can brin;; up boys who will withstand temptation. The churches must help" and tho fathers do their share; but it is the women of N?w Zealand who have the main part in .the charae-toi-nioulding of the future manhood of New Zealand It is e ., SY to understand that any ■mother, who heard the stories, some of which, no doubt, were true, of the foul language used in tho camps, would look with diffidence, dislike, and distrust <m the idea of her son being mixed up in it \Ve could not expect such a mother to support the league unless the league Bees to it that that 'iiind of thing is put an end to, and its place taken l>v the influence of education that will loud lo moral elevation as well as physical improvement. As the bc9t guarantee that this will be done the league ur"M the employment of specially-select-nfwoimMi in our training camps. "At tho fame time it is essential that tho public should recognise the truth in 1 i this matter. The real fact was that the i language was taken into the camps; the i (.juups were not responsible for it, but 1 the lack of moral training the,lads re- ■'• ceived before they went there. I lie- ' lievo that is the truth. The league will ■ make its ideal that every mother, when > her son comes back from camp, should > fav; 'When is the next one going to bo * , held?' because Ah was so pleased wit'i •! tho results,
The Final Aim, "In conclusion, I wish to refer to the fact that 011.3 or two of our schoolmasters appear to'look askance at military training. I am glad to be able to say, on the other hand, that already we have a number of our prominent educationists with U9B in the league, and I expect mailj' more will follow. No better support was obtained from any class of men at the front than from tho schoolmasters. Perhaps some of them who have been indulging in criticism in the post look upon tho 'methods of education in camp with a certain spirit of rivalry and distrust. Yet when they think the matter out they will probably realise that all that is aimed at in the camps is not exactly to put the capping, on the work that is done in the schools, but rather that in the camps the best is dona to nourish and foster the seedlings of good, citizenship which it has been the schoolmaster's, privilege to plant. When they look at it in thatlight, I think those critics will come along and help. Thero are people who talk about humanity, about one grand brotherhood, and about doing away with war. I believe in all those ideals myself, but I- think the first thing to do i> to be true to ourselves, then to the Empire; and then only probably will it be possible for us to be true to humanity, that larger Immunity to which we Ml belong, whatever our creed, our I'ilour, or our civilisation."
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Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 167, 10 April 1920, Page 8
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3,105NATIONAL DEFENCE Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 167, 10 April 1920, Page 8
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