NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 15, 12 October 1907, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

Universal Training. " THE FLOWER OF THE- NATON, NOT THE WEEDS:" LADY PLUNKET'S INTEREST IN VOLUNTEERING. By Telegraph—Press Association.. Christchurch, Octobor 11. Hor. Excellency Lady Plunkett, who holds the position of Honorary Colonel of the North Canterbury Mounted Rifles, No. 2 Regiment, reviewed the regiment at Culverden to-day, ani presented tho King's Colours. Her Excellency was afterwards entertained at luncheon by the Regimental Mess. , Responding on behalf of Her Excellency to the toast of hor health. Col. Davies, Inspector-General of the New Zealand Forces, said that Lady Plunket's action in so prominently associating herself with tho Volunteer movement. would have a, far-reaching effeot., He'pointed out that Great Britain and , America ' wore tho only nations which had not adopted a. systom of universal* service, and that Britain bad never met;; in warfare, any other nation since those nations had adopted that system;.. Universal service meant that , tho flower of ..the nation would bo the soldiers,*' not-ltlio weeds. Only tho fit-; test l and best men would be picked, and, it would be regarded as a misfortune or., a disgraco to bo;,refused. Universal .service' did not moan conscription. ' He appealed to the ladies of tho district 'to use their influenco, as Her. Excellency, had done, in, the direction ~of encouraging universal military-training.' ' ' ' . ,