DEFENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 8 July 1930, Page 7

DEFENCE

COMPULSORY TRAINING;

RETENTION ADVOCATED

WELLINGTON, July 4

The retention of the compulsory military service system was urged by Mr F. Waite (R., C'lutha), when speaking in the Address-in-Reply debate in the House of Representatives to-day. Labour interjectors combated some of the views of Mr Waite, and the interruptions became so- frequent at one stage .that Mr Speaker threatened to name a member. . .. Mr Waite claimed that he was speaking on behalf of the majority of the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men, who were in the Territorial Force at the present time when lie said that New Zealand should have an adequate defence system. He asked members of the House if they thought that any defence system was necessary in New Zealand. Even those who were calling for the abolition, of the compulsory system readily admitted that something should be put in its place.

Referring to the deputation which waited on the Prime Minister yesterday Mr Waite said it had been stated

that compulsory service was repugnant to the ideas of the League of Nations, but the fact was that the first paragraph of Article VIII of the League of Nations’ Covenant specifically provided for adequate national defence. It was a significant fact that most of the principal signatories to the Covenant hful compulsion. In France service in the fflrmy or navy was compulsory, and the same- awlied in Italy. Europe today was bristling with bayonets. Japan had compulsory service, and to hjs friends in one Labour Party he would lioint out that the ‘Red Army of Russia, was based on compulsion.

Mr F. Langstone (Lab.) Wainiiarino): You ought to be able to get a job there. (Laughter). , Mr Waite: Tlie, honourable gentleman is far happier in New.:Zealand. He likes to talk about Russia; but lie won’t go and live there. One of the greatest menaces to the peace of the world to-day is the Red Army of Russia. Why do members of this House come here and say that compulsory service is opposed to the principles of the League of Nations? I say. they are misrepresenting the position. Every nation with the exception of, Great Britain, has increased its armaments since the signing of the Kellogg Pact. Mr J. O’Brien (Lab., Westland): Do you want another war? ■; Mr Waite: I know you won’t go to it if there is one. You will stay at home like you did last time. ; Mr Langstone: And show good sense too.

Hr Waite: When members of this House say that a compulsorily recruited force in New Zealand is a menace to the pence of the world they are endeavouring to humbug the people, and are grossly misrepresenting the position,

Mr Waite said apparently they had the United Party and the Labour Party in the sme camp on the question of military defence. Those members who did not agree with that statement had half an hour in which to get up and explain their attitude. All that some members of the Labour Party knew about war was what they had rend in certain books. The Prime Minister had not made any definite pronouncement regarding his intent-, ions, but it was fairly evident that there was to he an overhaul. It was said there would be a reversion to the volunteer system, and, after all, that would be in accordance with the rules' that had been laid down by the Labour Party. The Minister for Internal Affairs (the Hon P. A. de la Pore lie): That is rot.

Mr Waite: Exactly, it is rot. Mr Parry: You are a. good judge of that.

Interjections became frequent at this stage, and Mi’ Speaker found it neieoessary to issue a warning that he would name members if they persisted in interjecting, Mr Waite said he had always agreed that alterations could be made in the defence system and ecqnomies effected, hut should those economies be made in a panic year, in a year of financial depression? If they cut down the defence system to the extent that was now proposed they would not get value for the money they expended. The whole thing would he a wasted effort. Training in camps was of veul value. He would like to know what the Imperial Defence Committee expected New Zealand to do. The Min-, ister for Defence should take the House and the people into his confidence, and he did not believe there would he the slightest objection on the part of the taxpayer to meeting the bill. The taxpayer would find the money and the trainee would know what it was all about.

Mr Waite concluded bv suegestimr that tile Government could cut nu.t the camps this year, cut out the night parades for cadets, and out out the afants to rifle clubs, and in the meantime secure the services of a committee of experts to go info the whole question of the forces. An expert eouhl he secured from Home, and he could have associated with him two experienced New Zealanders.