TERRITORIAL SYSTEM

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 979, 23 May 1930, Page 18

TERRITORIAL SYSTEM

GENERAL YOUNG’S DEFENCE “MODERN AND UP-TO-DATE” From Our Resident Reporter WELLINGTON, Today. When presenting trophies to artillery units on Wednesday, MajorGeneral R. Young, general officer commanding the New Zealand Forces, vehemently defended the present territorial system. At present he could say nothing about the impending changes in the defence forces, because Cabinet had not yet reached a decision, but he had been asked to save £IOO,OOO, and he promised the men that he would announce any information immediately he received it. There had been a lot of discussion to the effect that the present training was out of date and inefficient. “I want to say this,” he continued, “that that is all wron°- I want you to go away from this hall with the conviction that it is all wrong. We are all working on modern, up-to-date lines. “If any body comes to you and tells you this is an inefficient show, you can tell them straight from me that they aro ‘talking through their hats.’ If you men had intensive training for quite a short period I would put you up against any battery from any part of'the Empire or from any other country. lam firmly convinced you could stand up to any criticism, and I would stake my reputation as a soldier that you could do it.” In conclusion, in reference to the men who were finishing their training, General Young asked them not to lose touch with their batteries altogether. He wished them success in the future.