DEFENCE POLICY

Hokitika Guardian, 31 March 1930, Page 3

DEFENCE POLICY

OUPULSORY TRAINING DISAPPEARS. 'WELLINGTON, March 20. The announcement regarding tii {pension of all further territoria camps this year .-is generally tala mean the ultimate abandonment of .the territorial system with compulsory military training. Indications have long pointed to this conclusion, and in official circles, short of a definite announcement which can only be published when alternative plans are ready, the end of the territorial system is taken for granted.

New Zealand’s main defence system will in future he by means of aviation, and the country has already gone a fair way towards providing this volun tary alternative to tlie compulsory territorial system. Par more attractive than the old time infantry, volunteering; aero clubs have been organised in all ! parts of the Dominion, and de-' spite the heavy cost of private flights for the minimum period required to secure an aviator’s ticket a large number of young men are undergoing tuition.

When the Government develops it; alternative to the territorial system the encouragement of aviation will w found to he the principal feature, and there wiil be ample response, emailing an adequate programme of training a\tutors to be conducted in many parts of New Zealand. it is also understood that rifle clubs, nipy .profit from the changed defence policy, as necessity exists for marksmanship, and it will be desirable to encourage the younger men to take up tms form of training. Compulsory military training was instituted by legislation by the Wind Government in' Iff'::), the -Minister of Defence at that time being the late Hon. 'Robert-McNab, an old volunteer, who 'declared in his strong advocacy of the .territorial system that volunteer defence' had completely broken down-and was unable to meet the legimate requirements of the country. There were then 21,000 volunteers, though the number of men in the country capable - of bearing arms was 160,000. The total number of males coming under the obligator!’ clarea* M the Act when it was passed was 87,601.,

THE NAVAL CONFERENCE is still in progress. What may he described as a “Nasal” conference was overheard recently. “1 can’t stop sneezing.” “You’ve caught a chill, old man. . Have a Pulmona! It will soothe that irritation and help you throw it iff.” Pulmpnas at all chemists and stores, Is fid and 2s fid.—Advt.