MILITARY TRAINING.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17985, 2 April 1930, Page 6

MILITARY TRAINING.

CHANGES IN SYSTEM. VOLUNTEER FORCE SUGGESTED. LIEUT.-COL. H. S. AVERY’S VIEWS. WELLINGTON, Tuesday. “ If the country finds that there is not sufficient money available for defence purposes to enable the present system of universal compulsory military training to be efficiently carried out, then undoubtedly that system must be modified or replaced,” stated Lieutenant-Goloucl IT. E. Avery, who performed notable service with the Expeditionary Force and in the New Zealand Staff Corps. “ Indeitfl, il would appear that even the present-Defence vote is no! in itself adequate to ensure the attainment of real efficiency. If, however, the system of universal compulsory military training is to disappear, some form of training lor land defence should certainly be subsLilulcd for it. It is my opinion that in that case the defence forces of the Dominion should he remodelled on a volunteer basis, with the retention of a sufficient permanent staff of officers and N.C.O’s. to carry out the administrat ion and the training of the volunteer forces.

" 1 do not think that anybody will challenge the proposal to spend more money on the Air Force. 1 think it is generally admitted that the Air Force, must be extended and made a thoroughly efficient unit. But no one who has had any experience of war will say that the Air Force, no matter how efficient, is going to replace the infantry entirely.

•• 1 think the general opinion of those who have had anything to do with the organisation and administration of the New Zealand territorial forces would favour ;i volunteer system, should universal compulsory military training have lo disappear. Development of Aviation.

“ In my opinion the derision of the Government lo curtail the military ■ training of the youth of New Zealand has been brought about by the need for economy and by the fact that il lias been fully recognised by all who are. in any way interested in defence as being a necessary provision, so Ilia! the development oT aviation may be more vigorously prosecuted than it has been, to enable our aerial fighting force to become a real factor in the even! of hostililies.

“Personally, I should very much regret to sec a wholesale cutting down of our land forces, and 1 trust that tin Government will maintain skeleton cadres, in order, should the need arise lo enable a force/of trained men lo hi available as officers and non-commis-sioned officers and instructors.” THE PRESBYTERIAN ATTITUDE. WELLINGTON, Tuesday. “All that I am prepared lo say just now,” said the Rev. J. R. Blanchard, minister of St. John’s Presbyterian Church, “is that the proposal to abolish compulsory military training is in keeping with the decision of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, a decision which has been made year after year for the past four or five years, and it will undoubtedly he welcome to the General Assembly in consequence. It is a striking thing that the attitude of the press has evidently changed from one of opposition to the abolition of compulsory military training to one in favour of it.”