DEFENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 June 1920, Page 3

DEFENCE.

GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S VIEWS WELLINGTON, June 24. “1 cannot resist asking you to remember that on nearly every occasion when the country lias been engaged in hostilities, the period following peace has witnessed a diminution in the armed forces of the Crown owing to pi polar clamour for the reduction of expenditure,” said Lord Liverpool at his civic farewell to-night. “Nebulous erganisa. tions are often held up as panaceas fnall international troubles, hut at the moment there are no effective methods in existence, and in the meantime it behoves us not to allow our armour to he weakened. It may he that the League of Nations may some day enable couiitr'v/: to reduce the- amount which has to he spent on anname us, hut until that comes about We cannot all'or.l to depend or. possibilities whidi migl't do lasting harm ,to our people in ad parts of the globe. I speak in no spirit of militarism, lint earnestly trust wo shall not allow ourselves to be gulled into"inertia.■ Irrespective of the question of defence, which, of course, is tlio most important factor, the training which young people go through has the effect of raising their physical capabilities, and all who have come in contact with young New Zealanders are unanimous in attributing a considerable amount of their vitality to the training which they are put through as cadets. This year the authorities will he considering a new organisation of the Defence Forces, and those who have gained so much experience during the last few' years will do all in their power, I am convinced, to assist in maturing any scheme which is decided on. The Expeditionary Force has made history, and I know the traditions which have been created will he worthily maintained hy those whose duty it will he to serve in the armed forces of these islands in future years. I cannot leave this subject without wishing the officers and men, of the Expeditionary Force the best of flood fortune “°' v That they, have gope back to civil hie, and, with them, I desire to include the nurses and all voluntary workers, who in their, various spheres, laboured s <> as_ i siduqusly. Lady Liverpool and I are proud that \ve have had the opportunity I of being olosely associated with the Dominion forces in their years of stress.” I