UNIVERSAL DEFENCE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 267, 4 August 1908, Page 7

UNIVERSAL DEFENCE.

MINISTERIAL ATTITUDE CRITICISED, iBT TEI.EGItirH—SPEOIA^CORItESrONDENT.) Auckland, "August 3, Tho "Herald," in tho course of a criticism pf tho Prime Minister's nttitude'op defence, says:—lt is rather difficult lo discovor where tho Premier stands upon' tho question of. universal defouqo. Tho' League , advocates universal training for lads,, and young : men up to 21 yearß of ago I'with oncpuragcmcnt 'of further training," and this. js' is meant by tho Formors' Conforcnqd iajid every, other body which resolves in favour of uni-; vorsal training. > Yet Sir Joseph-Ward, in reply to tho Farmers' deputation,.and on every other possiblo occasion, drags in tho bogy of "conscription," and professes- to I ''speak l for groat numbors who ar<j,,against«the .European system; It is o wry 'doubtful 'patriotism which quibbles ovor. matters ajfecting tho national safety and" : po'ssißly' : -t]io' iia-': tional- existence. 'It would. bo itho■,basiesit' matter in tho world for the Premier and tho Minister for Defenco if they favour-tho-uni-vorsal training of "youths" ■ to • bring-in--.a measure having that purpose. If they did. so thoy would dosorvo and receive thc/lioarty, thanks of all who boliovo that'it. is time Now Zealand prepared for verjv possible-' omorgoncios. But there is quito rio necessity to prato about i\ "conscription" which is not boing advocated or to dilate Upon an opposition to "univorsaLi training"-, "which hardly exists when " conscription" is not draggod. into the discussion; "-"Not only tho Farmers' Union, but the -labour unions as far as they have been laoundodj are' unanimous for "universal training". ';up to tho ago ■of 21. Tho leading'ministers,..of religion, tho majority of the Judges, almost' : 'all Mayors and chairmen of local authorities, tho Press of the Dominion with odd exceptions, and an overwhelming majority, of whatnro tormod "representative men" are in favour of the general principle of military training. Whether tho ago is 19 or 21„i's a mero detail. Tho point is that, overy man in the State ought to be so trained in his youth that he will bo ablo in after years to ; if all into lino far tho defenco. of bis-caunUy if jjftll'*! unni> io j