THE TERRITORIALS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 172, 19 January 1912, Page 8

THE TERRITORIALS.

GERMAN OFFICER'S REMARKS. Christchurch, January 17. As an officer of the German Army, Dr. F. Schone, of Berlin, who is visiting Christchurch just now, has taken special interest in. the discussions on the compulsory military training schehe. He stated yesterday to a reporter that the impression which he received in Australia was that the scheme there had had a very good effect upon a large number of young men who evidently were badly in need of discipline, and who certainly ought to be taught to obey. The proportion of men of that stamp in Australian cities seemed to be exceptionally large, and, from that point of view, the scheme had much to commend it. He did not have the same impression in regard to young men in New Zealand. They were of a different stamp, and they did not show such a glaring lack of discipline. He did not know if New Zealand intended to turn the youths which it was training into soldiers. If it did, in the event of the arrival of a hostile force—a very remote probability—the country would have an army of youths. If the scheme was regarded from a physical training point of view, the same ends might be gained by exercises in the schools.

In Germany the compulsory provisions came into effect at the age of 20, 21, and 23 years. If a young man was not physically fit at 20, he came up again a year or two years later, but many young Germans voluntarily entered the service at 17, 18, and 19 years. By doing that they were entitled to select the regiments with disfavor. There was no cruelty in enforcing it, and hardship was obviated as far as possible. Where two old people had a son who was eligible to serve, but who had to maintain his parents, he was relieved from the obligation of serving. There is no general feeling against the compulsory system in German, Dr. Schone said. "The Socialists make very good soldiers indeed," he added with'a smile. "There is no doubt about that."