ANTI-MILITARIST LECTURE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 191, 12 August 1911, Page 9

ANTI-MILITARIST LECTURE.

Mr Herbert Corder, a member of the Society of Friends from England, wno is »t present touring New Zealand, gave «n address op "Militarism International Relations" before an audience of over a hundred people ta St. James' Hall last evening. Mr J. E. Taylor presided. ■ The speaker gave a graphic account of the rapid growth of militarism throughout the world, and the heavy burden it wa» upon the people, and quoted the statements of many British and European statesmen and the Emperors of Germany and Russia and King EdwaTd "the Peacemaker," to show the concern they felt at the serious trend of militarism, and their sincere desire for a cessation of the mad rush to ruin. But he declared that they had not the power to stop this evil. The power of their courts and the military element in each country, and, very largely, the «jmmon people and the venal Press, were responsible to a large extent for the present state .of affairs. He showed how the expenditure per head on mjjitariwn had increased in New Zealand and other countries to an alarming extent during the past ten years. He declared, however, that the birth and rapid growth of internationalism and cooperation between the nations was the bright hope be could look to for a solution of the serious military and social problems. A hearty vote of thanks to Mr Corder was carried by acclamation. The following resolution, moved by Mr J. E. Taylor, was carried:—"That all volunteers for military training, and those who are enrolled against their will, be asked to sign the following pledge: *I will never leave New Zealand to take part, in any war excepting possibly as a unit of an international army or navy to obtain for others such justice as has been awarded by an international court of arbitration, and I will, as far aa possible, induce my comrades in arms to see the necessity and justice of such a pledge, and sign it also..' and the executive of the International Arbitration Association in London be requested to issue a similar pledge to all kindred organisations with the ■ object of permeating every army and navy with the high principles of international brother- | hood and the hatred of unnecessary wan I between the nations."