MILITARY TRAINING

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 22, 27 January 1938, Page 8

MILITARY TRAINING

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —A short time ago we heard a great deal of the reorganisation of the Dominion's defence forces. This has certainly had results in so far as 'the' .three: months' training is" concerned 'but, the regimental units have shown, practically no progress. It is very disheartening to give your time and take ah interest in a half-dead enterprise. You daren't be too strict or you will find your unit sadly depleted by men who ■will hot stand talking to regarding discipline. From my own experience, I know that if we are ever embroiled in another war many lives will !be uselessly wasted through, not doing as they are told. This would be only, a repetition of the last war, and colonials are great fighters ' but without discipline their efforts are suicidal. ,

New Zealand apparently is relying on 'the Old Country to look after us but what are we going to do if her hands are full struggling for her own! life? Of course, the old argument that if we want men they will be there when we want them, is.quite true. But why is it necessary to call up untrained men, rush them through a course of training, and then after all this to find that a big percentage never come back because they wouldn't be talked to. To be weak is to be bullied, but to be strong is to be respected. Compulsory military training is an asset to the country, to England, and to the individual. When is the dormant patriotism in this country going to wake up? Hoping you will find space to publish my views on this question and thanking you.—l am, etc., * I

HELP THE OLD DART.