NATIONAL DEFENCE

Southland Times, Issue 18858, 25 June 1920, Page 5

NATIONAL DEFENCE

THE DUTY OF PREPAREDNESS. SPEECH BY LORD LIVERPOOL. (Per L T aited Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June 24. “I cannot resist asking you to remember that on nearly every occasion when a country has been engaged in hostilities the period following peace has witnessed a diminution in the armed forces of the Crown owing to the popular clamour for reduction of expenditure,” said Lord Liverpool at his civic farewell to-night. “Nebulous organisations are often held up as panaceas for all 'international troubles, but at the moment there are no effective methods in existence, and in the "meantime it behoves us not to allow our armour to be weakened. It may be that the League of Nations may some day enable countries to reduce the amount which has to be spent on armaments, but until that comes about we cannot afford to depend on possibilities which might do lasting harm to our people in all parts of the globe. I speak in no spirit of militarism, but I earnestly trust we shall not allow ourselves to be gulled into inertia. “Irrespective of the question of defence, which of course is the most important factor, the training which young people go through has the effect of raising their physical capabilities, and all who have come in contact with young New Zealanders are unanimous in attributing a considerable amount of their vitality to' the training which they are put through as cadets. “This year the authorities will be considering the new organisation of the defence forces, and those who have gained so much experience during the last few years will do all in their power, I am convinced, to assist in maturing any scheme which is decided on. The Expeditionary Force has made history, and I know the traditions which have been created will be worthily maintained by those whose duty it will be to serve in the armed forces of these islands in future years. “I cannot leave this subject without wishing the officers and men of the Expeditionary Force the best of good fortune now that they have gone back to civil life, and with them I desire to include the nurses and all the voluntary workers who in their various spheres laboured so assiduously. Lady Liverpool and I are proud that we have had the opportunity of being closely associated with the dominion forces in their years of stress.”