Naval Men Prefer Volunteer System

Grey River Argus, 4 September 1948, Page 8

Naval Men Prefer Volunteer System

WELLINGTON, Sept. 1. Mi* B. R. Bain, secretary of the Wellington branch of the Ex-Royal Navalmen’s Association, commenting on the report of the Homeservicemen’s Association, stated that his association had absolutely nothing# to do with the statements made regarding the military training question. His association had already made it clear that as far as the naval training was concerned, time immemorial had proved conclusively that the voluntary system was preferable, and his association had recommended an increase in the R.N.Z.N.V.R. and the Sea Cadet Corps. His association, said Mr Bain, took a serious view of the Homeservicemen’s Association report, which .credited the Ex-Navalmen’s Association with having supported compulsory training. The Ex-Navalmen’s Association had not been consulted by either the N.Z.R.S.A. or the Homeservicemen’s Association, and had no knowledge of the joint defence committee on which the navalmen were credited with representation. Mr Bain emphasised the willingness of the members of his association to co-operate with kindred associations, but said that the Ex-Naval-men’s Associatoin was disturbed at the publication of reports which associated it with movements of which it knew nothing.