MILITARY TRAINING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 50, 1 March 1939, Page 8

MILITARY TRAINING

ATTITUDE OF WANGANUI CIT” COUNCIL A MATTER FOR THE GOVERNMENT CASTING VOTE OF THE I MAYOR On the casting vote of the Mayor (Mr. W. J. Rogers) the Wanganui City Council last night, after hearing speakers from a deputation from the Wanganui branch of the New Zealand Defence League, carried the following motion:— “That this -council thanks the I Wanganui branch of the N.Z. De- ; fence League for its representations, ' and assures the Government of its | fullest co-operation in whatever I steps it may take to ensure the I adequate defence of this Dominion.’' I The members of the deputation j were: Messrs. F. K. Turnbull, R. G. Taiboys, ! W. H. Cannan (president of the Wan- ; ganui R.S.A.), C. L. Lovegrove, C. G. j Russell, F. C. Grover, J. B. Davis, ■ and Dr. Kenrick Christie. It attend- . ed in pursuance of a letter pointing ( out the alarm the league felt at the i measures being adopted for the de- | fence of the country and urging that | the council pass a resolution that the Government put legislation into effect to adopt compulsory military training. “Our ideas are not militaristic in any way,” said Mr. Turnbull. “We are here because we believe that something more than what is being ! done should be done for the, defence ' of this country, in ,’f stice, not only! to ourselves, but to the blood that has been spilt and the efforts made to build up this country as part of the British Empire. We know that under the British flag we enjoy full measure of freedom and our children are entitled to that.” Mr. Turnbull said that it was felt by the le\gue that the voluntary system of training had been a failure.' It was right that the City Council, as the elected representatives of the citizens, should give expression on their behalf to such an important matter

as defence. Inadequate Land Forces Mr. Cannan referred to lhe inadequacy of the land forces of the Dominion, quoting the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association motion carried at the last conference. He said that the Government was doing its best. “The voluntary spirit is dead and T do not think we will ever revive if,” he said. “The only answer is a compulsory system, even if it Is to draw up a quota by ballot, as is done in South Africa. The land forces are sadly neglected. Cr. H. Lawrence asked if Mr. Turnbull was aware that a Minister of the Crown had stated that if suffi-

cient numbers were not forthcoming under the voluntary system steps would be taken to obtain them by some system of ballot. “I am quite aware of that.” Mr. Turnbull replied, “but we feel that what the Government wants is the backing of the people if it is going to take a serious step. We realise that restoration of compulsory military training is a serious step, and that the Government is anxious to have an expression of public opinion from such a body as the City Council. To put our house in order we must have compulsion." Mr. Lovegrove, in answer to a question, gave figures showing that in 1910 the military forces totalled 17,291. In 1914, at the outbreak of war. they totalled 66.738. To-day. under the present voluntary sytsem the total was 7717. Cr. Scott, asked how long it. took Io train the territorial to make him an efficient soldier. Mr. Turnbull replied four months. Cr. R. E. Cuthbertson moved an amendment to the Mayor’s motion, urging that the Government adopt compulsory training. This was seconded by Cr. J. F. Broad. “I feel I must, support the amendment. because your motion is very vague and evades the. issue,” said Cr. C. N. Armstrong to the Mayor. “All the members of the deputation are old soldiers, and it is right they should come here for an expression of opinion from the people's elected representatives. Mr. Rogers replied that he was not evading the issue. He wondered how far he could give expression to the views of the man in the street. Cr. H. Lawrence said that the Government was the best body to decide what should be done. It was in close touch with Britain and knew what precautions to take. Object of the Minister. Cr. S. J. Harris said that the present Minister of Defence was keen to see the best possible made of the means at his disposal, financial and economic means. He was best able to bring dow.n an opinion as he was in touch with the position. Whether land forces were better than the air was a matter of op-inion. The onlydemocratic way to decide whether there should be compulsory training was to take a referendum. Cr. J. J. Scott said that more had been done by the present Government in the way of defence than had ever been done. He was opposed to compulsion, which he said was abhorrent to New Zealanders. He contrasted New Zealand and Australia in the last war, referring to conscription in New Zealand, and the voluntary system which operated in the Commonwealth. Those who supported the Mayor’s motion were: The Mayor, Crs. J. J. Scott, G. P. Hawkins, S. J. Harris, H. Lawrence, and A. W. Scoullar. Those in favour of Cr. Cuthbertson’s amendment were: Crs. Cuthbertson, D. W. Earle, O. Hales, C. N. Armstrong, G. Bennett and J. F. Broad. “As the voting is even I give my casting vote in favour of the motion,” said the Mayor, declaring the motion carried. “Allow me to say that we are still undaunted,” said Mr. Turnbull, as the deputation left lhe room.