The Defence-Cut.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 June 1922, Page 4

The Defence-Cut.

MIXIS.TKU ON POSITION.

\VK. ' IN.'iTOX, .f«no 12. One winiiM 'lu-’-:- bNing,” declared I -oil I-. the \u-un wd Soldiers’ A- iali“‘hat wu aiv the face of e.-mimic difficulties cutting our insurance so far us defence is concerned to absolute, if not, below the absolute minimum'.”

The expression of opinion prompted questions t" Sir Heaton Rhodes, Minister of Defence, as i > how retrenchment will go iii the defence foices, and whether the Dominion is running risks hy pursuing the economic policy fuitner, “1 am felly seined ol the importance of maintaining eur defence forces.” rev-lied Sir Menton, “and it is with the greatest reluotnnce t-hat I have had to make the reduetions forced upon me. But two factors we : ghed "itli me. One is that the country is generally tired of military activities. The men are anxious to get back to their old employment; and employers are in a, position when they can ill afford-to h-t their men off for training. Still. T believe I have the goodwill of employers, who are ns loyal as over, recognising the necessity for training afld the bene, fits, particularly physical, which it seou-o 1 --. Ot defence forces te-ouv a:e deridc-Uv 1- low pre-war level in personnel. Kqnipinenf. h ivevev. is laahead. and we have the knowledge that t fere are in the Dominion numbers of trained men, but I do not wai t to rclv on them, I am quite certain 1 iK-y would come forward, although it would not he fair to ask them again, in reducing the numbers of officers and non-commissioned officers care lias been tak -u to retain the most capable, so that we have an efficient skeleton army on which to build our battalions and squadrons, .\s the Premier has pointed out we don't knew when the next war may come, and it would bo the height of folly to turn our swords into ploughshares when the world -is in a so un-u-ttlrd condition.”

Jhe Minister indicated that training camps may again he suspended next year, although the Department will lc glad to encourage any unit to enter camp voluntarily without pay, as had been done by some specialist corps this year.