THE DEFENCE SYSTEM

Evening Star, Issue 22442, 12 September 1936, Page 22

THE DEFENCE SYSTEM

OPEN LETTER TO MINISTER Sir, —A published report of a recent interview with you wherein it was stated that Cabinet was still considering the advisability or otherwise of maintaining a Territorial force, leads one to suspect that the Government is in the unfortunate position at present of having no defence plan or policy. Surely this state of affairs is a lamentable one, and one which will cause all reasonableminded citizens very grave concern. With the world in its present disturbed state it is the duty of every citizen of this country to insist on some defence plan, and when a plan is formulated, to assist the Government in the carrying out of the scheme decided upon. The needs of this country and of the Empire for' defence admit of no political differences, and it-behoves every citizen to think along purely national lines. There can be no gainsaying that the State is entitled to claim the service of its youth, and that the greatest asset a nation can have is well-disciplined and healthy young citizens. In view of this, therefore, surely it is the boundeu duty of the State to insist on training the youth of the country in the art of defence, and to bring it under discipline, in order that the younger generation, on whom we shall rely in time of national emergency, shall at least have a reasonable chance of survival.

As a father of sons, I would not feel that I had done my duty by them unless I had taken some steps to see that they had some training in the art of defence.

.It is not my intention to embarrass the Government in any way whatsoever, but as a loyal citizen to do what I can to assist it in coining to some decision on the vital matter under discussion. I would, therefore, take the liberty of submitting to you and your colleagues some schemes which perhaps may assist you in arriving at a Uecision. , It is admitted, of course, that New Zealand cannot wholly provide for her own defence; to do so or attempt to do so would be beyond the financial lesources of the country. Therefore any scheme which we may undertake must be looked upon as a con tribe, •■.'.on to and a link in the chain of the defence of the Empire as a whole. .Alter much consideration, there Lave occurred to me three ways in which this object may be accomplished, and which I set out hereunder for your consideration :

(1) That New Zealand should hand over in its entirety to the Imperial Government the whole of the sum voted in the Defence Estimates as a straight-out contribution to the defence of the Empire, with the request that, so far as is found possible, the money should be spent on New Zealand personnel and New Zealand manufactures. " (2) That New Zealand should undertake some definite Imperial commitment overseas, such as .the provision of men for the Army and Air Force in India or elsewhere at the discretion and direction of the Imperial Government. (3) The introduction in New Zealand of a modified form of compulsory universal service along the following lines:—(a) AH youths on -leaving secondary school and/or on attaining the age of 17 shall be automatically drafted to central training camps to be established in each military command for a period of two months, (b) In addition to clause (a) the present volunteer units will remain in existence and function as officers training corps, tho officers, n.c.o.s, and other ranks proceeding to the above camps annually in order to carry out tactical exercises and thus obtain experience in the art of, command. Of the schemes outlined above, No. 1, while being sound in many essentials, savours very much of throwing all the responsibility on the Mother Country, and has the grave drawback that it does not allow the youth of New Zealand to shoulder any of the burden other than that,of taxatjon, nor does it provide for that essential in any nation worthy of the name—to wit, disciplined youth. ■ No. 2, whilst enabling us to shoulder a definite task, also leaves the bulk of the country’s youth untrained and not subject to discipline. No. 3: This scheme, tp my mind, has everything to commend it. It is within the financial resources of the country. It would embrace the whole of the youth of the country and give the younger generation some definite share of its responsibility to the State. Youth would have some reasonable knowledge of the art of defence, and therefore a sporting chance (which it assuredly deserves) when called upon by the State in a national emergency. The scheme would not unduly upset the usual course of business —certainly not to the extent of the system in force some years ago —and would also be made more universal. I am of the opinion, sir, that just as the past Government was guilty of sharaeful neglect towards its volunteer forces and the country, so also will be you and your colleagues unless you have the courage and foresight to provide the means whereby those who will he called, upon as leaders when required are given the opportunity of training in leadership. There is throughout this country a splendid body consisting of hundreds of intelligent officers and n.c.o.s whose theoretical knowledge «of defence is of a very high standard, but who, through the vacillating policy or lack of policy of Governments, may fail lamentably in the crucial test of leadership. Reverting to the need or otherwise of a Territorial force, may I suggest to you, sir, to study the history of Gallipoli as recorded not only by our own historians, but by those of former enemy Powers, and to obtain first-hand information from those who served®Hn that theatre of war. You will then, surely realise how a comparatively few well-armed and disciplined troops can defy the might of an Empire. The lesson also learned, sir, should hasten your decision in regard to the need for a Territorial force in New Zealand. The present is the time., sir, when this country needs statesmen of a high order, with clearly-defined ideas and the courage to bring them into operation. The country looks to you to be worthy of your high office. (Signed) John MThehson. Macandrew Bay, September 10,