MILITARY TRAINING

Hokitika Guardian, 30 July 1930, Page 2

MILITARY TRAINING

■SUSPENSION DISAPPROVED,

DUNEDIN, July 27. Strong disapproval of the poiicy of the Government in suspending tlie territorial training •system, -.was expressed at a reunion of the. ex-Dunedin Highland Rifles last n{ight. ;•

Colonel A. Stoneliam, an old commander of the Rifles, who now lives in Gisborne, wrote urging the ex-volun-teers to keep the old flag flying, and to keep the spirit in existence as far as they could. “But believe me,” the letter continued, “you will never do it by any attempt sto return to the old volunteer system as against the territorial system just suspended.” The writer stated that lie was still on the retired list of officers, and so had over 45 years of ' military experience behind him. Over 25 years of that time had been spent “in harness” under the old volunteer system, and lie had studied the military requirements of New Zealand from all angles. He would have no hesitation whatever in stating that a volunteer force could not exist to-day in New Zealand. It could not even be inaugm rated successfully. The time had long gone by for such a service, which was all. right in the pioneer days when the country was in the making. To ask young men to tie themselves down to regular military work was to ask the impossible, the letter went on. Th'ere were some of course, who would he willing to serve, but not enough to ensure an efficient and useful service. “Life is taken too easily, pleasure of ever}' kind is too close at hand and difficult to avoid aiid that alone would utterly defeat any volunteer system.” Those same young men under the territorial system realised that they had to serve, and that service was essential to the welfare of their countrv.

Several speakers at the reunion endorsed Colonel Stoneham’s views.

CONFERENCE CALLED

AVELLINGTON, July 28

A conference of military officers, to be held in AVellington to-morrow, has been conveyed by the Hon J. G. Cobbe, Minister of Defence, to discuss a scheme of military defence training during the current year. Air Cobbe stated that he wished to confer with the heads of the defence organisation before placing his proposals before Parliament. He intimated that lie would have to confer with the Prime Alinister as to the date of the introduction of his Defence Act Amendment Bill giving effect to the curtailment of military training.