The Dominion. TUESDAY, OCTOBER- 19, 1920. A DEMOCRATIC DEFENCE SCHEME

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 20, 19 October 1920, Page 6

The Dominion. TUESDAY, OCTOBER- 19, 1920. A DEMOCRATIC DEFENCE SCHEME

While the normal Defence organisation of the Dominion has been thrown out of gear by the war and calls to some extent for reconstruction, there is a widespread feeling that expenditure under this head ought to be kept strictly within bounds. Apart from the fact that this country is called upon to assume a larger share than it did formerly of the burdens of naval defence, and is bound in the comparatively near future to develop an aviation policy with an eye to defence, strong objection would certainly be raised to anything in the nature of a costly and elaborate scheme of military training. Exception would be taken to such n scheme not only on account of tho outlay involved, but because of tho feeling against militarism which obtains throughout the Empire, and to some extent in other parts of the world. A scheme of military training is still, however, ■an indispensable precaution. As a matter of ordinary prudence the pre-war system of Cadet and Territorial training must bo maintained and developed on a sound basis. It is quite feasible to.satisfy this, evident necessity without embarking on a policy that could possibly be regarded as provocative by any other country. Indeed, there is probably less clanger of overdoing military preparation than of so whittling down the scheme of defence that for practical purposes it would exist only on paper. At present measures are being taken to reduce the Permanent Staff and to effect economies by reducing the number of area groups and in other ways. These measures in'themselves are sound. It is desirable that the military forces of tho Dominion should become_ as nearly as possible a purely citizen army, and economy certainly ought to be studied in every reasonable way. At the same time if the employment of professional soldiers is to be reduced to a minimum, it clearly becomes a- matter of imperative urgency to secure higher standards of efficiency, in the Territorial officers and noncommissioned officers upon whom the training of the rank and file will henceforth largely devolve. In order to make thoroughsy efficient officers and non-.commissioned officers available in'adecjrjato numbers, the Defence authorities have decided _to establish Special Training Platoons. These units are to ha formed at secondary schools and also at group and area headquarters, and will comprise selected volunteers •from the ordinary Cadet units. Membership of the special platoons is to be confined to Cadets of two years' service who can pass an efficiency test and are prepared to attend parades of the special platoons in addition to those of their Cadet units. Tho conditions are so framed as to ensure that Cadets joining the special platoons are possessed of the ability, character and enthusiasm that will enable them to qualify for and carry out responsible duties. L'adets admitted to the special platoons will be given all the instruction necessary to make them efficient subalterns or non-commissioh-ed officers; having undergone instruction for a year they will.be allowed to sit for examinations for sergeants' rank, and at the end of Uvt) years wjll be allowed to submit themselves for examination for commissions. On attaining the age of riphtccn, if they have passed both examinations, they will be transferred, to the Territorial Force as senior non-commissioned officers, but their actual appointment to commissioned rank will bo deferred until they have reached a suitable age. Even from this bald outline it may be seen that the scheme is ot great promise. There is little doubt that the prospect of early and rapid •advancement in rank will offer a strong inducement to precisely those lads who are best qualified by ability and enthusiasm to become capable officers and non-commissioned officers. The scheme particularly commends itself in being thoroughly democratic. Providing that all officers and non-commissioned offices must be highly efficient before gaining their ranks, it ensures that promotion shall be purely ;>,nd solely by merit. Much emphasis is justly laid on the point that youths between the ages of sixteen and eighteen can find more timo for military instruction than men of twenty-two and upwards who hivo largely been drawn upon hitherto as officers of Territorial and Cadet units. Experience with the Officers' Training Corps in Great Britain has shown that lads are able to attain high proficiency in their military training without any interference with their school or university work, and at very small expense to the State. The Special Trailing Platoons which are being formed in this country correspond closely to the Officers' Training Corps.. ;<nd it is' noteworthy that the latter c-igan-isation? though it was formed as recently as 1909, supnlicd eleven thousand efficient and highly-trained officers on the first day of the war. In Britain, the Officers' Training Corps was for a time regarded with some disfavour as- an organisation invading the preserves of the Regular Army. The similar but relatively broader-based organisation now being established- in this country may well come to ,be practically the sole source for the supply of officers of tho citizen defence forces. As time goes on a proportion of the lads selected at an early age on the basis of character, ability and enthusiasm to undertake the duties of subalterns and non-commissioned officers will undoubtedly become well qualified to carry out the more exacting and responsible duties of, Staff organisation and command. On all grounds the scheme of Special Training Platoons deserves to be very heart-ijy supported It offers what appears to be an assured means of obtaining and maintaining the body of well-trained officers and non-commissioned officers on whom will depend the efficiency of our citizen army if it is ever called vxin to take the field. At the same time the scheme is thoroughly democratic. Soundly administered, it will definitely establish the principle of promotion by merit and ability and absolutely close the door on appointments by. privilege or influence. Finally it meets the reasonable demand now raised for a scheme of defence in which economy goes hancl in hand with efficiency.'