AN M.L.C. ABROAD.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLIII, 1 February 1909, Page 2

AN M.L.C. ABROAD.

SOME IMPORTANT QUESTIONS DISCUSSED. THE TERRITORIAL ARMY. Mr J. G. Smith, M.L.C., who has been absent from New Zealand for about 15 months, returned to Wellington yesterday by the lonic, and with tho members of his family went on to Lyttelton last evening by the Mararoa. Mr Smith, who holds the rank of Lieu-tenant-colonel in the Canterbury Volunteer forces, while in England spent a fortnight in camp with tho territorial army. He was attached to the Kent Infantry Brigade, and had ample oportunities for studying the working of the new army scheme at Home. In an interview with a "Post" representative, he said he had formed a very high opinion of the men in the territorial army. "I believe," he continued, "that they have the best elements of the old volunteer system at work under the new scheme. The work done during the time I was in camp was very practical and fairly severe. The troops were expected to do six full hours' work before 1 p.m. each day, and in the afternoon the officers took part in a war game, or attended lectures given by the colonel commanding, who was very keen and enthusiastic. The scheme itself, I think, is an excellent one. Of course, the test will be whether enough men will be forthcoming to make it a success. At present there is some misconception as to what the scheme really means." THE SYSTEM EXPLAINED. Mr Smith went on to explain that under the old volunteer system the various units had no definite connection with each other, and were a comparatively unorganised force. Under the territorial scheme these have been brought into an organised force, which is intended to be complete with its proper proportion of all arms, transport, hospitals, etc. In the event of the regular army being required otuside the British Isles, the reserves would be called up, and on this being done the territorial force would be embodied at once, and would commence war training for Home defences. The responsibility for that defence would be on the territorial force, but, if need be, they would be asked to volunteer for service abroad. In organising the force the Defence Council intends that in all essentials it shall follow that of the army. The council claims to have looked at the question of defence from the national standpoint, and to have allocated to the different counties and districts the members of troops of the various arms which will be required to give an efficient force for the defence of tho Homeland, and so distributed as to allow each district to have its fair share, and provide a complete section of defence in each of the six divisions. At the present time the Minister of War (Mr Haldane) is, Mr Smith states, writing a popular description of the territorial scheme, and this, he thinks, will remove a large number of the misconceptions at present existing. NEW ZEALAND'S POSITION. "The Home Government," he continued, "is very anxious to mako the scheme a success in every respect, and is prepared to find the necessary money to enable this to be done, as it recognises the imperative necessity of being prepared for any eventuality that may "Did you learn any lessons (hat could be applied in New Zealand?" our reporter asked. Mr Smith replied that the Defence Council in New Zealand seemed to be working on somewhat similar lines, and from what he could gather was trying to make the New Zealand defence force self-contained and fully equipped in the same way that the English territorial army is. The Defence Council had laid down a scheme, and was working without political pressure. COMPULSORY SERVICE. To the inquiry: "Have you formed any opinion about compulsory military service since you left New Zealand?" Mr Smith promptly ajisucred: "I am more than ever convinced that the proper defence of New Zealand will be achieved by adopting a system of universal training, and by that I do not mean conscription. If the young, men of the Dominion are educated to the privilege of accepting their responsibilities in this matter before they are 21 years of age, in the course of a very few years we will have a body of train men that would provide all the defence required for a long time to come." Mr Smith mentioned that while he was in camp with the territorials, the Minister for War (Mr Haldane) and several members of the General Staff extended to him the utmost kindness. They proved by their actions that they were not only interested in Krw Zealand, but desired by every means in their power to bring about a closer relationship between the volunteers at Homo and abroad. THE LICENSING BILL. The progress of the Licensing Bill in the Home Parliament for Mr Smith had an especial interest. "Some measure of reform," he said, "is bound to come, and while the Bill has been rejected, I feel certain that before very long an improvement will have been affected. The public is beginning to recognise tho enormous power that is being used in the interests of this particular trade, while the drunkenness noticeable is enough to stagger anyone coming from New Zealand. A Local Option Poll such as we have in New Zealand would quickly settle the question at Home." POVERTY AND UNEMPLOYMENT. The widespread evidences of unemployment and poverty in England attracted Mr Smith's notice. The problem, he said, was a very serious one for the local bodies and the General Government. The question of tariff reform, however, was making great strides, and the working of the now. Patent Act was also having its effect. With these two factors operating, he thought some alleviation of the present condition of affairs could- be looked for. It was a pity that more of this surplus labour of willing men could not be sent'to the oversea portions of the Empire. '■