HOME DEFENCE.

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 186, 24 August 1937, Page 6

HOME DEFENCE.

Our Government' s plans for home defence are being published in something like serial form. For study by those competent to form expert opinion, a comprehensive announcement of the defence scheme as a whole, and covering all its branches, would no doubt have been preferable. For the general public however, all too deeply immersed in either business, sport or pleasure to give sustained attention to anything of the kind, the instalment plan of announcement is perhaps, after all, the best for securing popular notice. We had aiready been afforded some fair understanding as to the organisation of both naval and air defences and, so far as resources would permit, they have been accepted as being well thought out and satisfactory. The Minister directly concerned has now, during the last few days, given some outline of his Government' s intentions with regard to the institution of a land force. As to thls there is, of course, still a great deal of detail to be filled in, but in its broader aspects what he has so far told us will probably appeal to most people as being east along acceptable lines. It is, as we read it, proposed to bring into being a relatively small but still thoroughly trained and presumably mobile body of men to meet the more or less stidden emergencies of coastal defence. For the rest and as to the main body of land forces dependence is still apparently to be placed upon the voluntary "territorial" system aiready in vogue but placed upon a footing calculated to make It much more attractive to the younger men of the country. There are, of course, those who are doubtful as to this system proving effective unless some element of compulsion is introduced into it and, having regard to the devotion of our youth to sport and the many tempting distractions that are offered them for filling in their time, there may be something to be said for this -view. At the same time, however, though we are being subjected to very many new compulsions in almost every other walk of life, it may well be doubted as to whetjier it would be tolerated in respect of home defence, vital and all as the need may be. We should also be able to f eel that, if approached in the proper spirit and without making the sacrifice involved too irksome and onerous, the youth of the country, taken on the whole, would not be altogether slow in responding to the appeal to ht themselves for its defence. What has to be done first is undoubtedly to stir in them some full appreciation of the fact that, in .the present condition of international relations, there cannot but be serious danger of their services being required, and that, too, at the very shortest of notice. For proof that apprehensions such as these are not without fair basis we have only to look at • what is taking place both west and east in the Old World. Even the most casual regard for current happenings in the Mediterranean and in China must convince of the very delicate balance upon which now hangs the issue of peace or a war in which Great Britain, in spite of her pacific intentions, may be involved. There is no need to be either a pessimist or an alarmist to recognise this and, if further proof were needed, it is to be found in the haste with which Great Britaiu herself, while straining every effort to avert it, is girding her loins for the worst should the worst come. It is also to be realised that to a very great extent the suciess or failure of the Government' s territorial scheme must depend upon the measure of support and encouragement which the public give it. It is for them to show, and in practical form, that they in their turn have some fuller understanding of the sacrifices which others may be called upon to make in order to be ready for their protection. In this respect, and for the popularising of the territorial service, nothing probably would prove of greater value than that the womenfolk of the country, old and voung, who are really the most deeply concerned of any, should display some special interest in it and do what they can to show their appreciation of those who exercise self -sacrifice in the way of preparing to defend them. This can easily be done without in any way exciting the militarist spirit of which so many seem to entertain quite groundless fears. Our Government will need and is entitled to expect the fullest possible support and assistance from all those whose lives and property may possibly be placed in jeopardy.