“TIN SOLDIER” SYSTEM

Hokitika Guardian, 11 August 1925, Page 4

“TIN SOLDIER” SYSTEM

I ABo IT, MEMBERS ON TKRBI I'ORIAi.K. ■’WELLINGTON, August 7. 11 any system, of militarism can be called a tin soldier system Jt is uni cadet : ml territorial organisation, according to Mr M Keen. Wellington South, who brought several grievanies nl Territorials before the notiei of Parliament to-night. Most members were highlv amused because one o’, llie ill-dailies punted with the greatest impressiveness related to a youth <>■ sft Klin, who was obliged to wear shorts on parade. As he refused, ho was lined for not attending drill. The Prime Minister: Why didn’t- he wear kilt-!-' Mr M.-Keen : 1 wonder il till the Ministers sniggering on the front benches would care to appear in shorts. Mr Coates led a chorus of aflirtnatives by .Ministers, who were refusing to take the grievance seriously. Air M ‘Keen declared that 551 officer.vere fattening on the system, and he thought that if it was to be administered as had been the ease in the past, it ought to he wiped out. The Minister of Defence had asked cmploverx to Ik* patriotic, but he knew of a youth who having trained a sub- : tit tile be loro to it territorial camp, was subsequently dismissed and limt not since keen able to get employ incut . Mr Smith. Taranaki, declared that real good work was being done ill training. A large majority ol the hoys looked forward to drill because of the up-to-date methods employed. However. he sympathised with a youth’s objection to being made a Guy Kawkes. Sir ! lea Imi Rhodes. Minister of Defence, replied that Mr A ' Keen - remarks were abuse, not eiilieism. D " would lilt" lo know' the rani" ol toe employer who dismissed a territorial, and In- would prosecute him. The system was the same as was in vogue before the war, enabling Vs within a lew days t., despatch an efficient force to ink" a. Very sal isfaetory results were being got since camps were revived. The number of officers was 1.(0. |lo could not understand Labour members’ objection to shorts. IT( bad seen British generals in them.