Compulsory Military Training in New Zealand
Encyclopedia
Compulsory military training (CMT), a form of conscription
, has been used in New Zealand during a number of historical periods.
There were increasing criticisms of CMT voiced in Parliament, but this declined upon the outbreak of World War I
in 1914, provided sufficient justification for CMT. In mid-war, conscription was introduced by the Military Services Bill (10 June 1916). CMT was abolished again in 1932 due to economic reasons. In this period, high school
students were subjected to a few periods each week of military training.
In World War II
, the compulsory sections of the Defence Act were not invoked until nine months after the outbreak of hostilities in September 1939. Under the National Service Emergency Regulations of 1940, conscription was then reintroduced. Anyone aged between 18 and 46 became liable to be called up by ballot.
Peter Fraser, announced that a referendum would be held on the future of CMT. The results on 3 August 1949 strongly approved reintroduction of CMT, with 77.9% in favour and a turnout of 63.5%.
, and 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 in the Army Reserve. All trainees were allowed the option of serving with the Royal New Zealand Navy
, Royal New Zealand Air Force
or the New Zealand Army
. A total of 63,033 men were trained under the CMT scheme before it was abolished by the Labour Government
in early 1958.
In 1960 National, under Keith Holyoake
, was elected and CMT was reinstated in 1962, however 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, based upon dates of birth, 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 for another 3 years (Although New Zealand sent troops to the Vietnam war
, all who served there were full time professional volunteer soldiers. Conscripts were not sent, unlike Australians or Americans).
In 1972, Labour under Norman Kirk
ended compulsory national service, as a result of a campaign of civil disobedience and lobbying by the Organisation to Halt Military Service A Radical Hippie
movement ("OHMS", a pun on both resistance
and "On Her Majesty's Service"
, as OHMS was an acronym used on official envelopes).
, (Royal New Zealand Navy
, Royal New Zealand Air Force
and the New Zealand Army
) have been all volunteer services; there is no form of conscription
. Despite sporadic calls for its re-introduction especially as a measure to reduce youth
crime
, no government or major political party current or at least in the short to medium term plan on reintroducing conscription
Conscription
Conscription is the compulsory enlistment of people in some sort of national service, most often military service. Conscription dates back to antiquity and continues in some countries to the present day under various names...
, has been used in New Zealand during a number of historical periods.
Origins and world wars
CMT was first introduced in New Zealand with the Defence Act of 1909. It applied to all males from 14 to 21 years of age throughout New Zealand.There were increasing criticisms of CMT voiced in Parliament, but this declined upon the outbreak of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
in 1914, provided sufficient justification for CMT. In mid-war, conscription was introduced by the Military Services Bill (10 June 1916). CMT was abolished again in 1932 due to economic reasons. In this period, high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
students were subjected to a few periods each week of military training.
In World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the compulsory sections of the Defence Act were not invoked until nine months after the outbreak of hostilities in September 1939. Under the National Service Emergency Regulations of 1940, conscription was then reintroduced. Anyone aged between 18 and 46 became liable to be called up by ballot.
1949 Referendum
On 25 May 1949, Prime MinisterPrime Minister of New Zealand
The Prime Minister of New Zealand is New Zealand's head of government consequent on being the leader of the party or coalition with majority support in the Parliament of New Zealand...
Peter Fraser, announced that a referendum would be held on the future of CMT. The results on 3 August 1949 strongly approved reintroduction of CMT, with 77.9% in favour and a turnout of 63.5%.
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| For | 568,427 | 77.9 |
| Against | 160,998 | 22.1 |
| Invalid/blank votes | ||
| Total | 729,245 | 100 |
| Source: Nohlen et al. | ||
Post-referendum
Under the Compulsory Military Training Act of 1949 all males now became liable for military service upon reaching 18 years of age, with the rule taking effect in 1950. All men aged 18 and over being required to register with the Department of Labour and EmploymentDepartment of Labour (New Zealand)
The New Zealand Department of Labour was established in 1891 and its primary role is to improve the performance of the labour market and, through this, strengthen the economy and increase the standard of living for those in New Zealand....
, and 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 in the Army Reserve. All trainees were allowed the option of serving with the Royal New Zealand Navy
Royal New Zealand Navy
The Royal New Zealand Navy is the maritime arm of the New Zealand Defence Force...
, Royal New Zealand Air Force
Royal New Zealand Air Force
The Royal New Zealand Air Force is the air arm of the New Zealand Defence Force...
or the New Zealand Army
New Zealand Army
The New Zealand Army , is the land component of the New Zealand Defence Force and comprises around 4,500 Regular Force personnel, 2,000 Territorial Force personnel and 500 civilians. Formerly the New Zealand Military Forces, the current name was adopted around 1946...
. A total of 63,033 men were trained under the CMT scheme before it was abolished by the Labour Government
New Zealand Labour Party
The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935....
in early 1958.
In 1960 National, under Keith Holyoake
Keith Holyoake
Sir Keith Jacka Holyoake, KG, GCMG, CH, QSO, KStJ was a New Zealand politician. The only person to have been both Prime Minister and Governor-General of New Zealand, Holyoake was National Party Prime Minister from 20 September 1957 to 12 December 1957, then again from 12 December 1960 to 7...
, was elected and CMT was reinstated in 1962, however 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, based upon dates of birth, 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 for another 3 years (Although New Zealand sent troops to the Vietnam war
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
, all who served there were full time professional volunteer soldiers. Conscripts were not sent, unlike Australians or Americans).
In 1972, Labour under Norman Kirk
Norman Kirk
Norman Eric Kirk was the 29th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1972 until his sudden death in 1974. He led the Parliamentary wing of the New Zealand Labour Party from 1965 to 1974. He was the fourth Labour Prime Minister of New Zealand, but the first to be born in New Zealand...
ended compulsory national service, as a result of a campaign of civil disobedience and lobbying by the Organisation to Halt Military Service A Radical Hippie
Hippie
The hippie subculture was originally a youth movement that arose in the United States during the mid-1960s and spread to other countries around the world. The etymology of the term 'hippie' is from hipster, and was initially used to describe beatniks who had moved into San Francisco's...
movement ("OHMS", a pun on both resistance
Ohm
The ohm is the SI unit of electrical resistance, named after German physicist Georg Simon Ohm.- Definition :The ohm is defined as a resistance between two points of a conductor when a constant potential difference of 1 volt, applied to these points, produces in the conductor a current of 1 ampere,...
and "On Her Majesty's Service"
O.H.M.S.
O.H.M.S., an acronym for On Her Majesty's Service or On His Majesty's Service - is an official franking commonly seen on correspondence from government departments in countries of the Commonwealth of Nations, recognising the British monarch as the head of state.In Canada, O.H.M.S may be written on...
, as OHMS was an acronym used on official envelopes).
Since 1972
Since 1972 the three branches of the New Zealand Defence ForceNew Zealand Defence Force
The New Zealand Defence Force consists of three services: the Royal New Zealand Navy; the New Zealand Army; and the Royal New Zealand Air Force. The Commander-in-Chief of the NZDF is His Excellency Rt. Hon...
, (Royal New Zealand Navy
Royal New Zealand Navy
The Royal New Zealand Navy is the maritime arm of the New Zealand Defence Force...
, Royal New Zealand Air Force
Royal New Zealand Air Force
The Royal New Zealand Air Force is the air arm of the New Zealand Defence Force...
and the New Zealand Army
New Zealand Army
The New Zealand Army , is the land component of the New Zealand Defence Force and comprises around 4,500 Regular Force personnel, 2,000 Territorial Force personnel and 500 civilians. Formerly the New Zealand Military Forces, the current name was adopted around 1946...
) have been all volunteer services; there is no form of conscription
Conscription
Conscription is the compulsory enlistment of people in some sort of national service, most often military service. Conscription dates back to antiquity and continues in some countries to the present day under various names...
. Despite sporadic calls for its re-introduction especially as a measure to reduce youth
Youth
Youth is the time of life between childhood and adulthood . Definitions of the specific age range that constitutes youth vary. An individual's actual maturity may not correspond to their chronological age, as immature individuals could exist at all ages.-Usage:Around the world, the terms "youth",...
crime
Crime
Crime is the breach of rules or laws for which some governing authority can ultimately prescribe a conviction...
, no government or major political party current or at least in the short to medium term plan on reintroducing conscription