DOMINION DEFENCE.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3514, 28 June 1920, Page 5

DOMINION DEFENCE.

NEW ORGANISATION. GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S APPEAL. WELLINGTON, June 25. '' I cannot resist asking you to remember that on nearly pvery occasion when the country has been engaged in hostilities the pariod following has witnessed a diminution in the armed 9 Jfoi'c'es of the Crown, owing to a popular clamour for a deduction of expenditure," said the Governor-General, the Earl of Liverpool, at the civic farewell tendered to him 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. 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 earnestly trust we shall not allow ourselves to be gulled into inertia. Irrespective of the question of defence, which, of course, is a most important factor, the training which young people go through has the effect of raising their physical capabilities, and ail 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 maintained by those whose duty it will be to serve in the armed force in 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 bach to civil life, and with them I desire to include the nurses and all voluntary workers who in their various spheres laboured so assiduously. Lady Liverpool and T are proud that we have had an opportunity of being closely associated with the Dominion forces in their vars of stress."