THE DEFENCE SCHEME.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 February 1921, Page 5

THE DEFENCE SCHEME.

ECONOMY, BUT EFFICIENCY. PRESERVING REGIMENTS’ IDENTITY. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, Last Night. Defence matters were touched on by the Hon. Sir Heaton Rhodes (Minister of Defence) at the Reform Party’s dinner here to-night The Minister said that though economy was needed they were going to have efficiency. Particular attention would be paid to officers and non-coms., for the war had proved that men could soon be trained with competent officers and non-coms. They could do without camps and territorial training for a year or two. but he hoped to see them reestablished on a sounder and more efficient footing than before. Cadets, too, would not be forgotten. They must be trained, made physically fit. and efficient, and drafted into the Territorials. Sir Heaton Rhodes added that he had unwillingly been compelled to retire many officers for retrenchment purposes, but he believed the efficiency of the force was still unimpaired, and if it was ever necessary to send another force to help the Empire the machinery was there. He incidentally remarked that he did not wish to disband any regiment. Some might, for the time being, have to be made squadrons or companies, but they would retain their traditions and badges, and if they were again extended into regiments they would not have lost their identity.