DANGER OF INERTIA

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 232, 25 June 1920, Page 6

DANGER OF INERTIA

DEFENCE STILL NECESSARY j LORD LIVERPOOL'S VIEWS : "I cannot resist asking: y<;u to remember that on nearly every occasion wlien the country has been enguged' in hostilities, tho period following peace has witnessed a diminution in tho armed forces of the Crown, owing to the popular clamour for the reduction of expenditure," said Ix>rd Liverpool at thfc Town Hall last night. Nebulous organisations are often held up us panaceas for all international troubles, but at the moment there are 110 effective methods in existence, and in tho meantime it behove 3 Us not to allow our armour to be weak-i cned. It may be that the League of Nations may some day erable countries to reduce the amount which has to bospent on afmaments, nut until that. comes about we cannot afford to depend on possibilities which might do lasting harm to our. peoplo in all parts of the' globe. I speak in.no spirit of militar-, ism, but earnestly trust wo shall not allow ourselves to be gulled into inertia "Irrespective of the question of do-| fence, 'which/ of ooursa is the most iin-J portant factor, the training which tho' young people go through has the effect of raising their physical capabilities, and' all who have oome in contact _ with, j-oung New Zealanders are unanimous in attributing a considerable amount of their vitality to the training which they • are put through as cadets. This year' the authorities will be considering tlio' new organisation of the Defonco forces, and those who have gained so much ex-' parienoo during the last few yearn will, do all in their power, I am convinced, to assist in maturing any scheme which]' is decided on. "The Expeditionary Fotco has made history, and I know tlie traditions: . which have beeu created will be worthilv maintained by those whose duty it will be to serve in the armed forces o[ these islands in future years. I caii»' not leave this subject without wishing the officers and men of the Expeditionary Forco the best of good fortune, jiow that they have gone back to civil life, and with them I desire to include the. nurses and all the' voluntary workers,' who in their various spheres laboured, so assiduously. "Lady Liverpool and I are proud that we have had tnt opportunity of, being closely associated with the Dominion' forces in their years of 6tre6S, and pray, that those who have been incapacitated, whether by wounds or illness, will be enabled tnrough tho skill of thoso wlm are doing their utmost to restore them •to health, to take heir part once again in the normal occupation of everyday life. I know from close association, not only with the authorities chiefly concerned, but also with that band of Indefatigable'workers who comprise the voluntary philanthropic societies throughout New Zealand, that no etono will be left unturned to mitigate the hardships which permanent disablement, imposes, and that thoso who have suf-; fcred in their country's cause, will hnv» all the tender i-aro and attention whictt it is possible to bestow on them."