Peace Time Training

AFTER the 1914-18 War the system of military training introduced in 1909 has remained in force with only such modifications as have been made necessary by the invention of modern weapons and instruction in their use. But since 1930 the compulsory provisions of the Defence Act have not been enforced. This modification was intro­duced as a measure of economy during the depres­sion. It may be argued that the smaller forces of cadets and territorials actually in training after 1930 were more valuable than the larger forces provided by compulsion, for the men who come to be trained as volunteers are likely to prove more efficient than those who came only because they were prosecuted if they did not attend parades. Certainly the territorial forces in recent years have given proof of great keenness and willingness to make personal sacrifices. Moreover, most secondary schools have for their own purposes main­tained their cadet corps at approximately the same strength as before 1930.

The training itself has moved with the times. The presence in the country of many men with actual experience of warfare through their service in the 1914-18 War has been a great source of strength, particularly in providing a large reserve of officers of proved ability. Training has been given in recent years in the use of modern mechanised arms, and no weapon of modern warfare from the Bren gun to the latest anti-aircraft guns has been omitted from the courses of instruction at territorial camps and parades.

The permanent forces, whose function in time of peace is chiefly instructional,, have kept closely in touch with modern developments. Officers have gone overseas for special study. A reserve of trained men has been specially created by means of short-term enlistments for military training combined with vocational training. It is well to remember the essential services of the Army Department, which has watched over the organisation of the armed forces of the Dominion and proved its efficiency and enterprise in the despatch of large bodies of troops to South Africa, to the 1914-18 War, and now again to overseas fronts.