User:Brian/Temp/CMT (NZ)

NB, The following article, is undergoing a edit by user Brian New Zealand , for the orginal article on wikipedia, please go to Compulsory Military Training (in New Zealand)

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Compulsory Military Training, (CMT) has been adopted in New Zealand on a number of occasions.

First Introduced

CMT was first introduced in New Zealand with the Defence Act of 1909 It applied to all males from 14 – 21 years throughout New Zealand.

World War 1

World War I (1914 to 1918).

There were increasing criticisms of CMT voiced in Parliament, however the outbreak of war in 1914, provided sufficient reason for CMT.

In Mid War, Conscription was introduced, by the Military Services Act (June 10 1916)

Mid-Wars

CMT was abolished in 1932 due to economic reasons. The NZDF was then reorganised into voluntary enlistment

World War 2

World War II (1939 to 1945).

The compulsory sections of the Defence Act were not invoked again, till nine months after the outbreak of World War II in September 1939. Under the National Service Emergency Regulations of 1940, conscription was reintroduced. Anyone aged between 18 and 46 became liable to be called up by ballot.

1945 to 1970's

On 25 May 1949, the Prime Minister (Peter Fraser), announced that a referendum would be held. This was held on 3 August 1949 and strongly approved the reintroduction of CMT. (77.9% (553,016 votes) in favour, 22.1% (152,443 votes) against, turn out for the referendum was 63.5%) Under the Compulsory Military Training Act of 1949 all males, whether European or Maori, became liable for military service upon reaching 18 years of age This took affect in 1950. All young men, on reaching the age of 18, were required to register with the Department of Labour and Employment. Apart from those exempted for medical or compassionate reasons, all had to undergo 14 weeks' intensive, full-time training, three years' part-time service, followed by six years on the Army Reserve. All trainees were allowed the option of serving with the Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal New Zealand Air Force) and the New Zealand Army The Army Act 1950 superseded the Defence Act of 1909 The first CMT Intake marched in for training on 9 May 1950. A total of 63,033 men were trained under the CMT scheme before it was abolished by the Labour Government in early 1958, at which time territorial service became voluntary.

In 1960 National, under Keith Holyoake, was elected. This second National Government reintroduced compulsory military training in 1962, though this time it was called National Service. Under the provisions of the National Service Act all males were required to register on their 20th birthday with the Department of Labour. Ballots were then conducted to decide who would undertake compulsory service. Those selected were required to complete three months' initial full-time training, followed by an annual commitment of three weeks part-time training. The first National Service intake marched in for training on 10 March 1962. In 1972, Norman Kirk headed the newly elected third Labour Government ended compulsory national service. The Territorials were once again to be volunteers, a change not altered when the Muldoon National Government swept back to power in 1975.

Today

Today in the three branches of the New Zealand Defence Force, (Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal New Zealand Air Force) and the New Zealand Army) are all volunteer services; there is no form of conscription, or CMT.

External Links

New Zealand Referendums, 1949-2004

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