THE NEW SYSTEM

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 14, 8 September 1931, Page 4

THE NEW SYSTEM

COLONEL DUIGAN OUTLINES VOLUNTARY ENLISTMENT SCHEME ADDRESS TD ROTARY Colonel J. E." Duigan, D.S.O., Commandant of the Northern Military Command, briefly outlined the history of the military f orces in New Zealand and made a comparison of the recently abandoned universal compulsory training system with the scheme of voluntary enlistment now being instituted in the Territorial Force at the Rotorua Rotary Clu'b5s luncheon yesterday, "In view of the great changes that have, of necessity, taken place in the New Zealand defence forces," he said, "a short survey of the military situation may be of interest.55 The first troops in the country, con- : tinued the Colonel, were the Regular units of the British Army which fought in the Maori Wars. The first local forces were the Militia, raised under the Militia Act of 1845, during Hone Helce5s war in North Auckland. This was a compulsory force and was armed with flint-lock muskets. "Up until 1872, 55 he said, "the Militia was frequently called out but it was gradually replaced hy the volunteer force. The power to call the militia out, however, has never been abandoned and exists to-day. "It is interesting to Auckland people to know that the first volunteer units in New Zealand were the 'Auckland Volunteer Rifles,55 and the 'City Company.5 Other Auckland units about this time were the Auckland Coast Guard .Volunteers, the Onehunga Navals and the Onehunga Rifle Volunteers, all of which saw service during the Maori troubles." The Volunteers. The volunteer movement had spread through New Zealand and, like most armed forces, experienced its ups and downs. Training was confined praetieally to drills, The force had no comprehensive organisation, but was a miscellaneous collection of small units. Various important events had helped to stimulate interest in the volunteers and resulted in the purchase of better arms and equipment. This, in turn, had the effeet of improving the effieiency of the force. Reports on the force by distinguished British officers all ref erred to the same weakness. The spirit of the men was excellent, but there was little organisation or system, and no guarantee of stability from year to year. A trained staff was badly wanted. The system of electing officers by popular vote was bad and was not conclusive to proper discipline. There was also some difficulty in men obtaining leave to attend camps. In 1909 a defence act was passed introducing universal compulsory training, thus bringing the volunteer system to an end after a life of 52 years. The new force was thoroughly organised on modern • lines, the staff being considerably increased and training and equipment modernised. As a result, the effieiency of the force increased beyond recognition. At the outbrealc of the Great War a partially trained force with considerable numbers of experienced officers and N.C.0.5s and a highly trained instruetional staff, was available for the Expeditionary Force. Lack of Money. Since the war the steady reduction in the amount of money available and the increased cost of all services, combined with the growing population, had made universal training inereasingly diffieult to carry on. Consequently, reductions in the numbers in the military force had to be made. This^was done by increasing the standard. of medical fitness required, reducing the age of liability for training to the more elosely populated areas. These measures, however, only afforded temporary relief, and in the end the scheme of compulsory training, was abandoned and a system of voluntary enlistment was again instituted. The chief difference between the present scheme and the compulsory system, was that the men were obtained by voluntary enlistment. The organisation remained the same, and. was similar to that of the regular and territorial forces in England. The strength of the units, though, had for the present been considerably reduced. The regulations under which the force is controlled and administered were substantially the same. Good Physique. "The men now joining the territorial force are of a very fine type and physique,55 Colonel Duigan continued. "It is less than two months since recruits were first called for arid already numbers' offering their services approach 50 per cent of the total required. The staff is comprised, in the majority of cases, of men with distinguished war records, although their numbers have recently been considerably reduced.55 The Colonel then referred to some of the benefits derived from military training, stating that it broadens a man's mind and is a training in discipline. "If there had been more discipline in the party which was lost recently on Ruapehu,55 he said, "they would probably have come out all right.55 "Discipline is the main thing in war,55 he continued, "besides in civilian life, teaching leadership and contgol of men. Officers are drawn from the ranks, and it is quite lilcely that a young private may become a leader." Colonel Duigan then made special referenee to the Hauraki Regiment in which unit Rotorua lads will serve and which, he stated was up to strength and even has a waiting list, Rotarian J. M. Roherts, through the president, Rotarian J..H. Buddle, thanked Colonel Duigan for his interesting and instructive address, and also eomplimented him on his efficient staff of officers.