UNIVERSAL MILITARY TRAINING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2495, 7 May 1909, Page 6

UNIVERSAL MILITARY TRAINING.

A SCHEME BY MR. McXAB

[Per Press Association.]

WELLINGTON, May G. Mr. R. McNab, who had charge of the Defence Department for two years, was interviewed by a “New Zealand Times” representative last night on the question of military training. “I have thought out a plan,” remarked Mr. McNab, “and given attention to tho obligations of all sections of the community, but I want it understood that I only submit a scheme to show that there aro workable schemes, and that I aih advocating compulsory military service without any idea of the shape it should take if adopted as a principle. Naturally it wou’d he for tho Parliament of the country to draw up a scheme, with what modification it pleases. I would commence at the age of about 19, and enforce compulsory training during a period of not more than five years. The first year’s training should be for a period not exceeding one month, and during the other four years it should not he more than a fortnight each year. The training should take place in fixed camps, a camp being provided for each volunteer district, and men liab’o for service could bo given the right of selecting a data at which they would go into camp. The camp could be run for four months, and the men given an opportunity of selecting any month. So much for the first year’s training. In regard to the other years I would make the period include Easter, so as to reduce to a minimum the inconvenience of a number of men being away from any particular establishment at the same 'time.” Would you al’ow individuals to buy fheir freedom from training? “Certainly not,” replied Mr. McNab. “There would be no exception to tho compulsion, except failure to pass the medical test, and possibly there would be no objection to allowing men who liad others depending upon them for a livelihood applying in open Court and getting exemption. I would make all classes of the community go into camp together, and allow no reductions of time. If it were: more convenient to those passing through their period of compulsion, they might after the first year’s service he allowed to put in the whole .of their three years’ period at one time. That, however, is a matter of detail. The men would bo paid for their attendance at camp —how much is for Parliament to fix. If the compulsory service was limited to three years, it would not cost more than the present .system until tho third year. After the third year it would only cost a small amount. Under a system limited to three years’ training, and counting upon a 10 per cent, rejection by the medical authorities, we would get 9000 men annually into our camps, so that at the end of three years there would be 29,000 men in camp. I would allow volunteers to go in as men whose compulsory term liad expired, hut the enthusiastic would all be wanted lor instructors, officers, and non-commission-ed officers, and in that way they could continue volunteer service. I know many officers who, if compulsory service wore given effect to, would leave their companies at once and put in their military training at the camps. That feeling'is widespread, as I have discovered by being in personal with the officers during the last Easter manoeuvres, so that I am able to speak for tho southern officers.”