DOMINION DEFENCE.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13232, 28 September 1908, Page 5

DOMINION DEFENCE.

ADDRESS BY THE MINISTER

On tlie occasion of his performing tho formal opening ceremony in connection with the Military Bazaar at King Edward Barracks on Saturday, the Hon. R. McNab had something to say on tho question of Dominion defence. He was particularly gratified, tho speaker remarked, to witness the splendid tiirn-out of volunteers at the parade earlier in the day. He would like to say in reference to the Canterbury volunteers that notuing struck him, apart from the number ot the men on parade, more thaa their splendid physique. Next to that ho was impressed with the splendid discipiine of tho cadets, and the perfect marching ho saw on tho parade ground. Tho Officer Commanding tho District told the speaker that the number of Defence Cadets in tho district was only something like 470. In both Wellington and Auckland the number was in «scces of 1000. On his return to Wellington he would investigate the question. With tho quantity of material at disposal, and tho splendid results following upon tho drilling of young follows who joined tho Defence Cadets, he said it was a national loss that there wore GOO or 7CO young fellows who should bo in tho defence iorco who were not represented that day. At tho present time there was considerable difference of opinion as to what form tho defence of the Dominion should tako in years to come. No one knowing anything of tho need of discipline and command, and looking upon tho gathering ot volunteers present that day, could fail to be convinced that the defence scheme of tho future must be largely developed from tho point of riew of tho cadets. Tho sight of the cadets recalled tho speaker's days .in tha ranks of such a corps, when he and the Officer Commanding tho Canterbury District (Colonel Hawkins) joined a cadot corps and learned their drill and tho best part of their discipline in its ranks. It was a noblo profession to bo ablo to confess knowledge of what constituted defence, to be ablo to bear a part in the defence of their country n tho time of trouble, and to prove a useful unit when that time came. If ho had contempt for any one man in this country to-day, it was for the man who had neglected tho opportunity for traininc: himself for defence, but had stood idly by, allowing the advantages to pass, and who. if called upon would provo absolutely of no uso iipon the tield of battle. He predicted that the time would como when men who Vere not prepared to put aside their hours, or days, or years in qualifying for the efficient defence of their country would be ostracised by those who did. He congratulated Colonel Hawkins upon his command—on their physique and discipline Hβ hoped before long that Colonel Hawkins would command a greater number of men in this district as fit as the men he saw before him.