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Hokitika Guardian, 23 August 1930, Page 4

ITie exigencies of the financial situation has caused a suspension of the defence system of New Zealand involving not only the territorial organisation, but also the compulsory military training. Tliis is to be regretted very grainy, both as a means of being in a considerable measure forearmed against assault, and also because of the lotting up of the disciplinary training of the youth. For defence purposes, the volunteer service will not adequately replace the advantages of the territorial system which, gave an assured force coining on step by step to fill gaps as the older members .passed through the service. While it is not. probable that there will be any early recurrence of ll great war. there are alwilys ticca, sioiis cropping Up in various parts of the world which show that the State le* quires a stable and , equipped force ready at call to enforce law and order, and maintain the peace and good will of the countryside. Under the changed conditions New Zealand will have a very skeleton force to rely upon in sudden emergency, and it would he a case of calling up volunteers put of practice and training for the severe duties which have to be faced when it is the real thing and not a matter of playing at soldiers. The Government promises to review the position next '•ear, and the inference is of course that in the emergency of stringent finance, savings have to made all round, and the present, appeared a suitable opportunity and less dangerous time to suspend military training and organisation. That of course is the real reason behind the action, but, a grave risk is being taken, while there will he always the difficulty once the system is so thoroughly dislocated, of ■getting it back again into as smooth running order as has been the case of late. Nowadays, it is noticeable that the female sex, emulating mere man a,s she. does in go many spheres hithertp barred to her, is not neglecting physical training, and has established gymnastic classes where excellent work is being done. The young men might well seize such an onnortunity as the to go and do likewise. Locally, the young ladies are showing the way in no half measures, and are displaying much enthusiasm in their self-ini-no«ed task, it would be all for the better if the rising generation of young men if they, too, would establish class* es for physical training and so get the benefit of the exercise and discipline which is obtainable at these healthgiving recreations.