The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1909. COMPULSORY MILITARY TRAINING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2659, 15 November 1909, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1909. COMPULSORY MILITARY TRAINING.

Before Sir Joseph "Ward wont to the Imperial Defence Conference we suggested that our Premier would look extremely foolish when his turn came to reply to the question: “How is your country preparing to keep out foreign invaders?” His only reply, if he spoke frankly, could have been that he himself had for a couple of years stood in the way of the only system that could pretend to give any measure of effective defence against foreign attack. However, it is satisfactory to note that his conference with other representatives of the Empire has resulted in a change in his attitude and the Government now stands pledged to the principle of military training which the Opposition party has for years vigorously advocated. It is too much to expect that Messrs. Massey, Allen and Co. will receive proper recognition for their patriotic action in this matter, and as in other important public affairs they will have to rest content to see their aims carried into effect by their opponents who will quite unscrupulously .steal all the credit. A scrutiny of the rough outlines of the legislation foreshadowed indicates that it has been carefully considered, and it should pass the House without very material alterations. Briefly put, the new law will provide for the training of the entire male population under the age of 21. Firstly, there will be the training of lads from the age of 12 under the present cadet system at school. On leaving school the youth will he taken charge of in senior cadet corps, and from 18 to 21 he will he compelled to go through a strict.course-of military education and discipline. There will be no interference with the ordinary avocation of these young men except for a fortnight in each of two years when that period is to he .spent in camp. For the rest, training is to take place in the evenings and on halfholidays. In other words our young men will have somewhat loss time for sport and will he compelled to give some practical attention to their duties as citizens of a free country. After the age of 21 there is no provision for compulsory training, but those who have complied with the military conditions imposed will be drafted into reservo lists. Just what is to happen to these reserves we have not been told, hut it is to be hoped that .some provision will bo made whereby the country can bo certain that each reservist is an effective unit for defence should ho be called ■upon at any time. His weapons and ammunition should be arranged for, and some system should be devised whereby he maintains the efficiency he gained while under active training. Of course it is more than probable that many of those beyond the age of 21 who at.present are not in the volunteer ranks will, as the result •of The increased importance given to defence duties, join the various corps. ‘ Certainly this phase of the question needs close attention, because an individual will prove a much better soldier between the age of 21 and 35 than he would whilst in his teens. Apparently our present volunteer system —doubtless in an amended form—will still he in existence, and this is a. subject for congratulation, for it would have been a thousand pities to have lost the enthusiasm and the efficiency which have been concentrated in our volunteer forces despite many hampering obstacles. There is every indication that in the future the volunteer will stand on a higher plane than ever in the public esteem. In this connection it is quite likely that as soon as our young men begin to realise the position that will arise when the new legislation becomes effective many of them will hasten to join the volunteer corps and in this way comply with the Government test of military efficiency. There is no doubt that the lot of the average youth who .serves under the paid military instructors of the Government will not he nearly so agreeable as is the case with those who have been .associated with volunteer corps. In the-case of the volunteer corps the members have a social life of their own, they manage their own affairs and choose their own officers, and generally speaking make work and duty a pleasure. Those undergoing training under the compulsory clauses will he marched along to the drill shod or training ground, not in uniforms hut in ordinary clothes, and there put through the hard work necessary without enjoying any of the compensating features that exist in volunteer companies. The active force to he organised is 20,000. The number is not nearly sufficient, but it is

an excellent start, and in all probability tlie question.of finance prevented Sir Joseph Ward from fixing a higher limit. There seems to be excellent material for a Defence Bill in the Premier’s proposals and by the time they have had the benefit of Opposition criticism the resultant measure should prove of very great benefit to the country.