THE DEFENCE QUESTION

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 13411, 1 May 1909, Page 6

THE DEFENCE QUESTION

COMPULSORY TRAINING ADVOCATED. ( PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, April 30. Discussing compulsory military training, at the Trades and Labour Council meeting, Mx McLaren., M.P.j said the matter was one of great importance, and any action taken should be by the combined unions. Hβ moved, "That the matter be referred back to the Auckland Union, with a view to having it brought before the annual Conference." Mr Naughton agreed with a compulsory s\*st«in of defence. The volunteer system was a fraud and a humbug. The volunteers were doing good work, but'there were not enough of them. Ho advocated compulsory training because nine-tenths of the people- could not take up a riflo and hit a haystack. Mr Dowdall said that most of the volunteers ioined to curry favour with their employers or for private benefit. He was not a poltroon, but ho would not shed one* drop of blood for the Empire until the workers were placed on a "class-conscious basis" and had to take over the machinery of production. The motion was carried.