FEDERAL DEFENCE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 318, 3 October 1908, Page 5

FEDERAL DEFENCE.

COMPULSORY TRAINING.' AN EXAMPLE TO THE EMPIRE. PATRIOTISM. (M TBIiCRAWi—PRESS ASSOCIATION— COrYttl33T.l (Roc. October 2, 10.35 p.m.) London, October 2. In eulogising tho Australian Defence Bill introduced by the Federal Minister for Defence, Mr. T. Ewing, "The Times" says:— • "Compulsory training is tho best safeguard against compulsory service. The Australian people aro tho first community in tho Empire to grapple seriously with the duty of military training on a National scale, and thoy will reap an ample reward, of which national security is only a part. Thoy may never have to fight, because the better thoy are trained tho smaller their risk; but apart, from-, that, Mr. Ewing's measure will greatly strengthen tho Federal idea—namely, tho sense of citizenship in a great Commonwealth—and will prove, if properly administered, potent to evoke and organise an Australian patriotism, as distinguished from the. self-assertion of Victoria, or Queensland, or New South Wales.

VARIOUS VIEWS. Scheme "hopelessly inadequate." London, October 1. The "Daily Graphic" declares that Australia's scheme of dofence is hopelessly inadequate, and altogether ignores tho larger problom of tho defence of the Empire^ The x "Daily Telegraph" and "Globe" describe the Defence Bill as a stimulating lead to the Motherland. , The " Daily Telegraph" states that it is not sure whether th© direct advantages aro comparable with .the indirect benefits which the adoption of the Bill will confer on every class in every unit' of the Empire, reminding them of their duties equally with their rights. .