"PRO FOCIS ET PATRIA."

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12933, 12 October 1907, Page 8

"PRO FOCIS ET PATRIA."

The speakers at tlio luncheon which followed tho review of her regiment it Culverden yesterday, by Lady Plunket, Honorary Colonel of tho Xo. 2 North Canterbury Mounted Rifles, very appropriately referred to tho keen personal interest in volunteering displayed by her Excellency, as setting an example to the women of New Zealand ac a whole. Both Lieutenant-Colonel Chaffey and Colonel Daviea emphasised, without, wo think, over-estimati-ng, the value of the lead given by Lady Plunket. Colonel Chaff ey, who declared that ho had been slaving away at volunteering for thirty years, and that the position wea not much.better now than when he began', was unduly modest as to hie •achievements. He has don© all that one energetic mam can do to promote the active patriotism that counts, and ho cannot complain, in view of yesterdey'e uniqwo apect3cle, that his efforts to induce the ladies to take a more active interest in volunteering have been ineffectual. Wo believe, with Colonel Davies, that Lady Flunket'a visit to Culverden may have far-reaching effects. It may not be given to every woman to show go prominently her interest in the cause of defence, but in some degree, great or small, as the case may be, every woman in New Zealand can do eomelhjng in that direction. It would certainly be in the power of the women of the Dominion to foster such a spirit of patriotism among their cone and sweethearts, brothers and husbands, as would make all thought of compulsory military eervioe unnecessary. Despite cheap jibes at the feminine fondness for a red coat, women's instincts ere all against the brutalities and horrors of war. Universal service, however, as Colonel Davies pointed out, means not war but that readiness for war which is the best guarantee of peace. Jt should therefore receive the hearty support of all women. It rosts with them to create the necessary sentiment. Colonel Davies might have taken as tho text of his address the motto on the badge of Lady Plunltet's regiment "Pro focis et patria"—"For home end country." His remarks were a strong plea for the patriotism that willingly makee some sacrifice in order that effioiency in defenoo may bo attained, that would regard being α-efused for service ac a misfortune or disgrace, that would scorn any man who refused to fit himself for the defence of hie country and his womenkind. Such, a man, declared the Inspector-General, ought not to have tho greatest of man's rewards—the esteem, respect, and love of a good woman. Wo could wish that the manhood of the Dominion were inspired by such a sentiment. It would assuredly spring into life if danger really threatened, but that would bo too lato for it to be effective for good. Training must precede efficiency, and the untrained man is a danger and an encumbrance. Whether anything but the threat of invasion will rouse that spirit i 6 hard to say. But of this wo ero certain, that ft the women of New Zealand chose to exercise their power end influence universal service would be welcomed instead of being shunned, and> the queetion of home defence, which.is now so often treated with indifference or contempt, would receive ell the attention it deserves.