MILITARY TRAINING IN NEW ZEALAND.
[To THE EDITOR OF THU " EPECTATOE.'] SIR,—As I have often noticed in the local papers strange stories—said to have been published in English newspapers— about the harshness of the "Defence Act" of New Zealand, I take this opportunity of trying to prove that the "Defence
Act" of this country is not so harsh as many people outside this Dominion appear to think. Territorials and senior cadets do not as a rule object to drilling. In fact, most of them are proud of the fact that they are able to carry the arms and uniform of their country. It is only a few who are conscientious objectors ; the rest who object are too lazy to bother about anything that will drag them from their "beloved cigarette." Only those who have no real excuse for missing their training or who do their best to avoid it are fined. A good example of the latter is as follows :—
" A number of senior cadets who have been giving their military parades the go-by were brought before the magistrate's court this morning. The majority of them gave promises to attend closely to drills in the future, and got off with the payment of 'Is. court costs. In one or two instances it was shown that the lads had actively schemed to escape drill. An officer related how one of the defendants had written the officer commanding his company requesting exemption from drill. He so graphically described the agonies of a strained back and an abscess in one ear that the O.C. was moved to the unusual course of calling to extend his sympathy to the lad at his home. There the O.C. stated his sorrow that so promising a cadet should be laid up, and was surprised to be informed by the young hopeful's sister, who answered the door, that if her brother suffered from either of the ailments he had described be had managed very cheerfully and successfully to keep the painful knowledge a secret from the rest of the family. So the O.C. took back his sympathy and took out a summons."—From the Auckland Star, April 28th, 1913.
I trust that this letter may help to correct some of the false ideas that are held on this subject.—I am, Sir, &c.,
New Lynn, Auckland, New Zealand ; C. L. MALONE. April 28th, 1913.
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