WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 January 1919, Page 3

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

THE MUTARY PROBLEM.

POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION.

(Special Correspondent.) Wellington, Jan. 0.

There is much curiosity and speculation here as to the future military policy of the Government and its administration. The Minister for Defence has made his views on some points ffilrly clear, but, as he is careful to explain, he speaks for himself alone, without consultation with his colleagues and without knowing how tlu decisions of the Peace Conference may affect the position. He would begin the training of Territorials at about the age of 18 by assembling them in camp for three or four months undeh thoroughly competent instructors, and lie would inculcate initiative, reniiurce, and general alertness by the same methods as have been employed in th# training pi men for service abroad After that, a week or two in an annual camp for a certain number of years would keep the men sufficiently well equipped for whatever might Ibe required of them in case of emergency.

COMPULSION.

Sir James Allen's jeneme assumes tliat compulsory training, at any rate, will be continued, and if the Peace Conference should determine ior the abolition of conscription it might have to be considerably modified In any case, there would be in the present House of Representatives considerable Opposition to a proposal to semi aii young men of 18 into camp for three or four months. The distinction between compulsory training and compulsory service is not very easy to define, and quite a number of member;, who supported the latter as an emergency measure in time of war probably would hesitate about enacting the former in time of peace. Their attitude might be quite illogical after the demonstration of tho great value of compulsory training during the war, but there are occasions in which the politician has less regard for logic than for what lie regards as expediency.

ADMINISTRATION.

But whatever scheme is submitted to Parliament, it will encounter its strongest criticism on the 3oore of administration, which involves the questions of cost and personnel. The war has left the country with a not inconsiderable army of officers, with honorary rank and otherwise, who are anxious to continue serving their country in a military capacity. Men like General Ricnardson and General Chaytor naturally will fall into positions in which their services will be of great value to the Dominion, but ih® temptation to the military authoritiM will be to retain officers who are not absolutely indispensable. Already anew position, that of Officer in Charge of Ad ■ ministration, has been created, and lately a contingent of dentists, colonels, majors, And the rest, no longer required' in the camps here, has Ibeen despatched to Egypt- AH this mar bo desirable, but the public has no "information on the subject, arid inevitably the public is disposed to ba critical. ,

THE MINISTER.

Discussion of the Defence Department and its intentions has necessarily led to some discussion of its control. Public feeling toward' Sir James Allen has undergoiiß a r>s.ir!..ed change since the early stages of the war. Then he was bitterly denounced by members of Parliament and by less responsible people for every mistake and shortcoming in the running of the great machine that bad been set in motion in this country for the first time under colossal-difficul-ties. But to-day fair-minded people are realising tha magnitude and value of his sin;;le-inind?d efforts and giving' him credit for th& excellent work he has done- If ttie persistant rumor that he will withdraw from public life at the next general election is well-founded, he •will carry into his retirement the goodwill of many of his political opponents as well as tha.t of his political friends-