NATIONAL DEFENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 April 1920, Page 5

NATIONAL DEFENCE.

POLICY OF NEW LEAGIT STATED BY GENERAL RUSSELL. SELECTED WOMEN IN THE TRAINING CAMPS. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) Wellington, Yesterday. The following policy statement was issued to-day by Major-General Sir A. H. Russell, President of the recentlyformed National Defence League of New Zealand: "In explaining the policy of the M-cently-formed National Defence League of New Zealand, of which I have the honor to be president, I desire to emphasise several important factors for the consideration of the people of this country. The fact of the matter is that the world to-day is tired of war and its abominations, tired of everything it brought in its train, and all that it mennty and not unnaturally a feeling of lassitude has crept over people, m$ made them inclined to put the whole sulh ject out of their minds, and relax into an attitude, not exaetlv of indifference, but of dislike for the .whole thing. People, in, consequence, have been asking whether there is any need again to take lip national defence." It was in order to emhasise that need that the National Defence. League was formed at a largelyattended meeting held in Wellington some ago. Plenty of people luiVft been taking as a motto the dictum of the UnLted States, T think—that the late war was a 'war to end war.' There has been no greater fallacy. Not only do such people say, 'turn your swords into plough?hares'; they urge us to turn our backs on the whole question of national defence. There are plenty of these false prophets abroad to-day. They speak smooth things, but we must not listen to them. There can be no question of a war to end war. War cannot be driven out by war, any more than an efficient police force can do away with crime. The abolition of war demands the removal of causes which lie (teeply imbedded in human nature. When the individual and the nation have been educated to a full realisation of their duties and responsibilities, there will be no need for police, or defence leagues, or compulsory military service; 'nut that, day is not yet. There is. therefore, need for a loaffue of this kind to wake people up to 4he importance of being prepared to defend their ideals and their property, as Well as to be able to do their duty, not only to this country, but to the Empire and to the race to which we belong.

•"IN NO SENSE POLITICAL." "The National Defence League is in no sense party political. It has nothing to do with party polities whatever. We are a league formed, so far as defence is concerned-, to help the Government, whatever happens to be in power, to do its duty, because Governments, like the rest of us, 'can only go as far a* circumstances and public opinion allow them. It is the mission of the league to educate the electorate on the need for an efficient defence organisation, and when it has done that citizens may be sure that the Government will do its duty. What is the position now? I understand that no less than ten members of the House of Representatives arc pledged to go back to the voluntary system. Many of the members of the league have worked under that system, and know that it was absolutely impossible. They know that it was no insurance at all; the money that was spent ilpon it, I cannot say was entirely wasted, hut it was very nearly so. The.people of New Zealand can no more expect to have an efficient defence force under the voluntary system than to have gdod roads if they arc to he left to pay their rates or not as they like. Under the voluntary system those in charge cannot know what they have got. The responsibility for whatever system of defence we possess rests with the electors; it rests with everyone, and what the league proposes to do is to educate the country by means of propaganda—to stir up its friends and to convert its opponents. To those of the latter who are socialistieally minded, I would submit that universal obligation in the matter of defence is the pne concrete example of Socialism which has stood the test of experience and practice. I believe that if the postlion is put forward clearly and in a reasoned fashion, •without rhetoric or froth, the people will adopt the right course. What a Government wants ia the reasoned support of the electors, not their unreasoned support, which is as bad for Governments as for individuals. PRICE OF INEFFICIENCY, "There is one factor which the people of thi3 country require to specially bear m mind in relation to defence, and Is that any money allocated for defence purposes to-day is worth far less than it would have bee nin 1!»13, and if the Defence Forces are starved it will mean that they will be ill-trained and illequipped. That means inefficiency, and inefficiency in war means the unnecessary loss of life. How much this is so the people of New Zealand may realise from a recently published summary of the views of American Generals. In 'The World's Work,' for November, 1010, it is stated: 'Twenty-six out of thirty general officers, holding command in the American Expeditionary Force, who were asked what proportion of our battle losses was due to lack of training, replied: 'At least half.' The other four were more conservative—one MajorGeneral, put it at about a third. This only confirms the statement made by the American Secretary of State for War previously, when he said that 'to 1 thrust untrained citizens into the field is nothing short of death by Government order.' When I speak of not starving the Defence Forces, the people of this Dominion msut not become imbued with the idea that the league advocates extravagance. What the league wants is pound defence, run as economically as possible, on the least money that can he put down; for it does not want to 'apoil the ship for a ha'p'orth of tar.' The actual plan of defence, however, does not, come w;thin the province of the league. That necessarily is a matter for the experts. First, the fiovernment should have a policy, and the defence scheme should he framed to suit that policy. It would be idle for the league composed of civilians to. say what are the proper proposals in detail; but there are certain broad principles which it will uphold. If any radical changes are proposed—and certain members are pledged to revert to the voluntary system—it is the duty of the league to scrutinise such proposals carefully, and act according to ita emgluttons

POLICY OF THE LEAGUE DEFINED. "I now wish to direct attention to the specific aims and objects of the league, as set out in its constitution. These are broadly defined as follows: "To maintain ft White New Zealand to secure the immunity of the country from invasion; to educate the people ol the country upon such measures of defence as may he considereds necessary. In the attainment of these objects the league specifically lays it down as its policy that it is not desired to convert the manhood of this country into soldiers, hut purely to ensure that every man who is capable of bearing arms is given sufficient military training to enable Vim to obey (lie highest duty of citizenship by being able adequately to assist to protect bis country should the occasion arise. Tn other words, the platform of the longue sets forth that the New Zcalander is a citizen, and only becomes a soldier when be is required for the defence of his coun- '**' WHERE EAST MEETS WEST. • "As to the policy of the league 'to maintain a White New Zealand,' I would point nut that the storm centre of the W.orld a few years, ago was in the North ??ea. To-day it has shifted. It is moving Eastward. ; So far as New Zealand is concerned it is nearer home. VVc In New Zealand, and our cousins ,in Australia, are actually the outposts ;of Western civilisation—of the Whole race. Outposts .ire very honorable positions', Vut those who are not ou(no»t work mtvt look out for surprises and hard knocks, and act accordingly. We are at fhe point where East meets West, both of them probably In their ■ highest; staffs of development. ' Tt is true that the East meets fV West in the Eastern Mediterranean littoral; but therfi, there is nc fusion. 'A White New Zealand.' means no fusion. That to the working man of New Zealand is of greater importance than to nlmost anyone else: for fusion means ft lowering' of the standards of life which have been 'built Up in this .country. It means the clashing of the ideals of the East' With the ideals pf the West. Of the two, n-.ira may go under, unless we keep our shows inviolate.

"Regarding the rest, of the 'paragraph r have j\ist quoted, T have to state that if we can convert the manhood of this, country into good citizens we shall h«ve a fighting force that will represent a great deal more in the eyes of a commander than would appear on paper, fiood citizenship lies at the.back of the best soldier.-.

THE LESSONS Of THE WAR. ( ' "In order to achieve its. objects the league proposes to advocate 'the maintenance of an universal defensive training, system.' The league lihldstffac military" training should be universal, not only for the reasons of defence, for. which a quota wguld possibly bo sufficient; but for other reasons. Again the league urges: 'As far as practicable,, the embodiment of the lessons of the late war in our universal defensive training system.' Here I wish to point out that the lessons of the war were not merely those connected with the handling of a platoon, or the use of a mach-ine-gun. There are other things—great moTal lessons which were learned as a result of the war. Another proposals in the league's platform is: 'The provision of sufficient, guns, rifles, and equipment so that the New Zealand Citizen Army, on mobilisation for the defence of our own shores, will be able to take the field fully er-ipped, and will have sufficient snares for replacement.' At present T do not know what we have got, but it is very 'little. OPPOSITION TO MILITARISM. "One of the bogies, raised by opponent* to the introduction 'of sound defensive training in the past was that an attempt was being made to introduce militarism. So far as the members of the league are concerned, they loathe and despite anything that breathe? of that spirit, and they will have nothing to do with it. Another objection has been that compulsory training is- contrary to democracy, and has a tendency to produce a gulf between officers and men. Any other than a democratic defence force in New Zealand is unthinkable, but, a special clause to ensure this is included in the objects of the league. This clause reads: 'TJk' acceptance of the principle that in future no one. except in the case of the public interest, can become a commissioned officer of the New Zealand Citizen Def»nce Force unless he has served three yews in the ranks.' Ido not say that a perfect democratic army cannot be obtained without that clause, but with it the accomplishment of the ideal should be perfectly safe. MORAL AND HEALTH ASPECTS. "There are four other proposals In the constitution of the league which call for special consideration. These are: ''The devotion of specinl attention to the moral training of the youth of this country, and their ' education in the ideals of good citizenship. "The strict suppression of all bad language in camps, making its use punishable as in civilian life. The league insists that tibia evil must be put down with a strong hand, arid demands the Defence Department shall take practical steps to secure its eradication. "The taking of every possible precaution to preserve the health of boys while undergoing training in camp or elsewhere, with endeavours to improve the same under proper medical supervision; also educating trainees upon the observance of fiealth principles during both civilian and military life. "The employment of selected women to assist in cooking, ambulance work, and in all the institutes in camp where they can be profitably and suitably employed."

"These clauses arc very important on the moral and physical development aspects of military training. RegaWttn" them I desire to state that any sourifl system of defence will cost money, that it means a sacrifice to everyone, but in considering this it is only fair to look at the other side of the ledger, cast up the gains, and see what there Is to credit. There is first and foremost the insurance that we shall be able to keep the country white, protect it from invasion, and perforin our part in the responsibility which we owe to the Empire, so that the standard of living in this country will not be lowered or altered unless for the better. The second is another very valuable asset—tfte moral asset. , I have already made a reference to the lessons of tho war. It produced, or rather developed, the spirit of self-sacrifice, the habit of obedience, respect for other people's wishes, and a better understanding of other people's needs. Ail these came well to the front. In the war men were found learning to help each other, realising that they were part of a whole, and that they themstlves did not matter very

' "»J" ..ii. mmmmmmimmmtmmmmmk^jii^ much, so long as success Wis ftttt&M by the whole doing team-work. Tap spirit is wanted abroad in this cottflfH to-day, and one means of promOtl|*| is by getting our young raahhool |M gather, each subordinating himself concerted plan. I have no dooht'tW Germany, beaten as she was, gained <ni meusely in her industrial life by, tut! system of military training, insofar nti by it her people learned, to work pi* BAD LANGUAGE TAKES DfTfi OCBI CAMPS, •, , - i\i! "Many people must have been flli<:i mayed when the Council of CSuM&e** 1 declared in no .uncertain term* agnSutU our system of military training antM . ground that the youth of the, cottgijn would he contaminated by training in our camps- . t bftftnot. h*)) thinking that this' was a reflecttenio) their'own work in the past, because tie; could'not produce a boyVWho'WoUld'fef our eight or ten day* ih oamp wttkmi going to pieces. I think, that it. reasonable inference. > ; ,i • .- \J WOMEN AND "1 HE SCtEtfCH oT'' £ POWER.'* ; « i *K "I do not know) how many jlQttfr»> New Zealand ha*Ve read a book by VtU'f jamin Kidd.'Thc Science of Potfcr.* Tliosc who have will realise that I ««# about to refer to the need for ImL whole-hearted support of the women wj New Zealand in this" movement. B*l/|! jamin Kidd ascribes the power of the ffl'i hire'very largely to women'. ' Men UIA to do thing*, but women .are £o i«B{< thorn,whet to do, to encourage theov towards objects of virtue, and point th#fc way. The men are to follow; I hop*' they will. This league looks just a#j milch to ; the women of New Zealand a» t to v the men of New Zealand for nip-' port, and has accordingly made ' provision for tho inclusion of w<ttCJl Wj ■ the government of its elfairs. WodMat,; can see to it that the moral aapeet oft; camp life is attended te. They, only* $ can bring up hoys who wilj withstand temptation. The Churches must help*. and the fathers do their share; hut it lap-. the women of New Zealand who' have* '■ the main part in the oharHcter-triouldingt \ of the future manhood of New ' It is easy to understand that nfljT . mothe.r, who heard the which, no doubt, were true, of the louif j language used in the camps, woulfl hJoK' ,• with diffidence, dislike, and distrust Qn s< the idea of her son being mixed Ujpi*' '■' if. We could not expect such A nwGher,.] to support the leaeue nnhMa the rees to its that that kind of tftfajf l« ; put an ,end to, and its place .taken top'" the influence of education that will leal. to moral elevation as well as physical; , improvement. As the best guarantee'' that this- will be done the league nrgaa -■ tho employment of specially-selected Ho» / men in our .training camps. ' \*; "At the same time it U essential ■; that the public, should recognise Ae"'' truth in this matter. The realflfct i was that the language was taken ijkto, / the camps; the camps; were not reljHw*' '" sible for it, hut the lack of, moral trcStins, received before they went there. ' -I ■ , believe that i 3 the truth. The, league .' will make its ideal that every mother, when her son comes back from camp,' , ; should sav. 'What is the netx one poind " to be held?' becnuse she waa so pleased* ] with the results. '; , ' THE FINAL AIM.' ■ , ,• J" 'ln conclusion, I wish to refer to tt» ? ,' fact that one or two of our schoolnas-' i ters appear to look askance at military"'. training. lam glad to be able tft aay,'. 1 /- on the other hand, that already have a number of our prominent itionalists with us in the league, and I ,% expect many more will follow. No Wt- .. '[ tor support was obtained from any ckaa .ij of men at the front than from <&»■"'" schoolmasters. Perhaps some of tk*in' J Who have been indulging in criticise i|i- f V the past, look upon the methods ofadtt*'.-.;-cation in camp with a certain epSrlt'et'' 1 rivalry and distrust. Yet when thejr- *., think tile matter out they will ptoh- , , s '. ably realise that all that is aimed at in •*' the camps eaxctl'y'to put the tap*; -j ping on the work that is, done in tte s( schools, but rather than in the «»p, I the best is done .to nourish and foster' ' the seedlings of good citizenship whlcn'.'" it has been the schoolmaster's privilege ;*'■.* to plant. When they look at it in that "I light I think these critics ,' and help, There are people who t*Jle|K about humanity, about one granil -, v brotherhood, and about doing away siffth'- [ war. I believe Jn all those ideals WJ" self, but I think the first thing to ftp I ,' i is to be true to Ourselves, then to t)Hj, * Empire, and then only probably, will ft"" J\ be possible for us to be true to \'. itv, that larger humanity to which ▼<C.?J all belong, whatever our creed, our or our civilisation" *KH