NATIONAL DEFENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2363, 2 December 1908, Page 3

NATIONAL DEFENCE.

COMPULSORY TRAINING.

IMPERIAL OFFICER’S VIEWS

The growing feeling in New Zealand in favor of compulsory military training for the youth of tlio Dominion, for the purpose of national defence, lias, it is interesting to notice, the support of several of those who have had military experience in connection with the Old Country. One of those is Major Pole-Soppitt, late of the Imperial army, who is at present on a visit- to Auckland, and whose record of active services includes participation in the whole of tho late Boer war campaign., as well as the Zulu war of 1906. In speaking to a New Zealand “Herald” representative the other day Major 'Pole-Soppitt said tnat the need'of some system of u uversa! training, which he had noticed was also- advocated in Australia, would bo likely ere long to be brought to the front in tlie Old Country. “With our vast Empire,” he said, “and the enormous extent of territory, and the great interests at stake, it i s desirable that there should be some ‘general system of service.—ln England, although tho regulars have been reduced, Mr Haldane has been unable to get the required number of men to serve in tlie new territorial force, which is designed to take the place of tlie volunteers and militia. The fact that only about 75 per cent, of the men required have offered for service as ‘Haldane’s Terriers’ indicates that we have not yet got matters placed on -a satisfactory footing.” Military training, Major Pole-*Sop-pitt remarked, was compulsory in Germany, France, Austria, Russia, and Japan, and Britain was almost the only nation that had not recognised the wisdom of the system. “I do not see,” he said, “why every able-bodied tman should not be qualified to serve hi s country an case of necessity. Every youth should bo given an opportunity for rifle practice especially, as if he cannot shoot straight he is of very little use. Look at the example that the Boers have given us. The moment almost that a Boor boy lea mis to run he also learns to shook. , Universal training is good, not only for the nation, but also for the individual, as it tends to encourage him to take an -interest in matters of mational '.importance.”