COMPULSORY MILITARY TRAINING.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 14326, 11 April 1912, Page 9

COMPULSORY MILITARY TRAINING.

THE HON. A. M. MYERS •SUPPORTS IT.

THE LAW MUST BE UPHELD.

(SFECIAt TO "THE TRESS")WELLINGTON, April 10. Tho deputation from tho Defence League, referred to in my telegram last night, waited upon the Hon. A. .AI. Myers, the new Defence Minister, to-day, and in reply to their pleadings, received a very favourable reply, to the effect that be -was entirely in sympathy with their viVws, and that the (iovernment would sec that the law was strictly administered. In regard to tho question of imprisonment, he said it w.'i.s not the intention of the legislature that- failure to comply with the Act should involve imprisonment. Under section 01, a fine was involved, and if that line was not paid under the ordinary civil process, the law came in and imprisonment followed. Tho majority of those who had been imprisoned had served their sentences, "'flu*- trouble," lie continued, 'is chiefly at Christchurch ; there is very 'little trouble elsewhere. Three paid their lines, threo served thoir full sentences, ami two are now servin_* (sentences, while as far as ion are concerned, thoir .sentences were from four to seventeen days, and the Government did remit a portion of the sentence. I want you to clearly understand what the position was. * It was not the intention of the Government that imprisonment should follow, Imt there was no alternative. Every man who is fined is going to be imprisoned if ho does not pay the fine. I want to make that perfectly clear. Every man who does not do his duty by registerin!* will placo himself under the provisions of the law. When the ('overninerit found that there was no alternative but, that defaulters should be treated as ordinary prisoners, and their finger prints taken, it was considered that, providing the law was carried out, inasmuch as a portion of the sentence was served, they were justified in remitting a portion of the sentences in the cases submitted. Kvory man whoso sentence has been remitted has already served 'a portion of that sentence, and in a sense the law is vindicated. There is no doubt, that, an amendment of the Act is desirable, because- wo wish to 7>ropose other penalties than imprisonment for those who do not recognise their responsibilities > as citizens. That will bo duly considered. Probably disfranchisement j and non-employment in tho f'overnmciifc service may not be sufficient, but I think you will find that when it is widely known that a conviction carries those possibilities, concerned will nppreci.tte that aspect of it moro than they do at the present time. T hope I havo mado it clear that the law has not been suspended, and it will not be j suspended as far as I am concerned, j As Minister for Defence I shall see that tho law is carried out, believing that 1 am serving the best interests of tho people of New Zealand. lam thoroughly in sympathy with tho Act. You need not have any misgivings at all. This Act stands as fnr as the present (lovernment is concerned. It is in sympathy with it. and it is going to do everything possible to sco that it is an unqualified success. Knowing, too, that the whole of the Empire Avill be looking towards New Zealand as to what measure of success it has achieved in regard to this important matter, you may be sure that ive are fully alivo to our responsibilities in that connection, and I trust it will he my pleasure and my privilege, as head of the Defenco Act, to bo able to inform tho Home authorities that it lias passed its experimental stage nnd is nn unqualified success in every direction."

''We leave tlr's room very much more satisfied than when we entered it," said Mr W. Fraser, M.P, in thanking tho Minister for his reply.

(PBKSS ASSOCIATION* TELEGRAM., WELLINGTON', April 10. Mr W. Fraser, M.P., who introduced tho deputation, said it represented a bod j- of citizens who had formed themselves into an association to urge the carrying out of compulsory military training, because they had viewed with somo alarm what they regarded as tho loosening of the reins of Government as far as carrying out the Defenco Act was concerned. Tho fundamental of tho failure of the volunteer system, he urged, was that" it was voluntary, and tho reason for tho Defence Act was universal aniT compulsory training, to ensure that thoso who might have to fight for the defence of the country should at least havo a fighting chance. They wanted to avoid the Act being brought into discredit by failure to punish those who defied the statute, and they thought the time had arrived when the Minister should intimate very clearly that tho rights attaching to citizenship should not bo granted to thoso who declined to accept its responsibilities. Tho Hon. It. A. Loughnan, M.L.C., said it wa.s pleasing to see the way in which tho young men of the country had responded to the demands of tho Act. Those who wero rejected as physically unlit were much more numerous than thoso who ruled themselves out as being mentally disinclined. The system had begun remarkably well, aud had not displayed the slightest sign of militarism or of nn intention to make any man serve outside the Dominion. Also it was tho cheapest system in tho world botli financially and in regard to the calls it made on citizens.

Mr A. 1?. Atkinson said they were pleased to know that in Mr Myers .they had one who, as au old volunteer, had shown his genuine sympathy with the movemeut. Thero was an overwhelming majority of the people who desired to sco tho sj-ste.ii brought to success. Thej- viewed with pleasure the enthusiasm with which young men had entered into the scheme, and they were convinced that the superfluity of that enthusiasm far outweighed whatever measure of opposition still existed to tho complete administration of the a\oL Rut there wa.s also a feeling of genuine uneasiness among tho well wishers as to whether or not the administration was going to see the matter through. The real question wa.s one of imprisonment, which was not for failing to register, but for failing to pay tho line. Some of them would be glad to see an alternative to imprisonment, and he thought he might safely say that a minimum interference with personal liberty would guarantee faithful performance of obligations, ami would receive general support. Parliament had not contemplated any deliberate violation of the law, or any snapping of the lingers on the part of those who had committed a breach of the law. He -suggested that alread.v the Government had sufficient power to vary the conditions of imprisonment. Sir Joseph Ward had expressed his preference for military detention, .as in Australia. That they would lie prepared to support very heartily. As to disfranchisement and inability to enter the Government service, those disabilities were not sufficiently deterrent, as they would not operate at once. Somo more immediate deterrent was needed. Acain. there would be no reason to gaol boys if the responsibility for their default was placed upon the shoulders of those who wero responsible. In Christchurch an Association had been formed to counsel young men not to comply with the law. He submitted that an organisation formed, not to repeal a law, but to counsel law-breaking, was what no law abiding community should stand. Dr. Piatt* Mills and Mrs A. li. Atkinson also spoke. Mr J. P. Luke, speaking on the subject from the industrial point of view,

.-aid he believed the $yst*m was going to be a national asset. Men came from tln* camps better fitted for work, and with a better sense of discipline.

(rr.css Assocr ktws tki.eckam.) WELLINGTON. April 10. Tho Trades and Labour Conference this afternoon briefly diecus-ied tic liefencc Act, and decided to set up a committee to act jointly with one from tho Federation of After making enquiry, the Joint Committee will report to the Fnity Conference.