The Daily News. TUESDAY, JULY 22, 1919. TERRITORIAL TRAINING.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 July 1919, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, JULY 22, 1919. TERRITORIAL TRAINING.

Although the question of military training as part of the Dominion's defence scheme resolves itself mainly into a question of whether such a scheme is or is not militarism, there are many ways of viewing the principle without needing to introduce the controversy of pacificism as opposed to the maintenance of armed forces. Quite recently Sir Douglas Haig sought to drive home the wisdom of Lord Roberts' persistent but unheeded warning to be prepared. How thoroughly justified was that warning the war proved, and there is to-day no more reliable mentor on this subject than Sir Douglas Haig, ho visualises Britain as awaiting the next trial as a "nations in arms." It is an old and true saying that to be forewarned is to be forearmed, and this applies in every phase of human activity. It does not, however, signify that the training which is necessary for national defence is indicative of the cultivation of a warlike spirit any more than the knowledge of the art of self defence leads the exponents into quarrelling with their neighbors and spoiling for a fight with the gloves off. What is known ip the Dominion as territorial training has many advantages, and only one drawback—inconvenience. No one who was present at the peace celebrations in New Plymouth on Saturday last could fail to be impressed with the splendid appearance and manly bearing of the High School boys. It, was an object lesson in the good effects of military exercises, the ground work of military training. Only biassed people could see in this fine exhibition of the results of good training anything that had a tendency to the lust of conquest or for the destruction of life. It is quite conceivable that Britain should feel it wise and even imperative to build up a large force of men who would be able at short notice to constitute an army that would be representative of Britain's power to defend herself, her vast possessions, and any of the weaker nations who needed help. The peace treaty and the League of Nations cannot be taken to be the portals of the millenium. That, however, is not the main point to be considered in connection with military training. The all important aim is to secure a nation of physically and mentally fit men and women, and that shoiild be the dominating idea to be kept in sight when dealing with any rational scheme of national training for defence. It would seem that no time was more appropriate than the present for arriving at an understanding as to the object and scope of territorial training throughout the Empire. It is unfortunate that, in connection with the territorial scheme, reference should have been made to the necessity for keeping a white Australia and a white New Zealand. Indiscretions of this kind only serve to inflame the opponents of military training, such as the extreme section of Labor and others. Legislation can keep Australia and New Zealand white, if it is deemed advisable, without any reference to armed force. Under the Dominion's scheme military training commences at 14 (in the case of Senior Cadets) and ends at the age of 30 (in the case of the reserve). Under the new scheme a cadet attends no additional drills and is not obliged to put in any time at all 111 camps. The territorials have, of course, to devote more time to training, and an attempt has been made to justifv the adoption of the four months' camp scheme on the ground that it produces efficiency, and for other reasons. According to the Minister-of JMsaee. one geriod .of

four months' training for territorials can be carried out) with very little if any additional expense to the country. Expense, however, is not the only consideration, though it is of importance. The great stumbling block is inconvenience, especially at a time when it is so essential to increase the country's production. It has yet to be proved that four months' training is justified from the point of view of national economies. What is needed is a co-ordinated system commencing in the primary schools and gradually leading up to the reserve stage, the drills being so arranged as not to disturb appreciably the ordinary avocation of the trainee and not prejudicially affecting employers. There is also the fear that military establishments will be an expensive luxury and a means for keeping a large number of highlypaid officers doing little besides drawing their money. It is quite possible to frame an effective scheme at a comparatively moderate expense, but the Defence Department requires to be swept clean of parasites before any training scheme is permanently adopted.