OUR-DEFENCES.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 333, 21 October 1908, Page 10

OUR-DEFENCES.

Sir,--The. presenilisturbe'd state of the Continchthl powers in Europoj and tho pross news, showing the : enormous preparations Germany is .making., for a contest with Britam, ...ought to cause'..the people of this Dominion mora thought'than is shown. Who can tell how' soon 'there may bo a large blaze of wai; and if our Empire,is involved, which it will be, . can .wo .be .Certain where tho first attack will-.be.made. Our Government is trusting solely on our.navy, and if defeated at Home what.as our. position hero? Could wo offer any defonco for our homes? Nono whatever.; I it : ,is,criminal for our Govenpeut . to, allow sugh a neglected stato of defences to 'Continue.. I think it is tho dutv of the "Government "to follow the advico of Field-Marshall Roberts, and mako the people good marksmen. . I .would like tho Government to give to a tenth part of'tho population a rifle each—the most effective and best procurable—and also supply each witli a certain amount of ammunition per year, compelling each man to keep his riile in good order, and make himself a good marksman, subject to punishment if neglected. Wo do not want a useless lot of drill, and a number of high-paid officers. -I am informed tho Government could procure tho best and most effective rifle for about three pounds each, and to obtain ; the money to purchaso theso rifles at 4 per ccnt. would cost £12,000' per year interest. Wo ought also to manufacture tho ammunition, within the Dominion, for wo may be at any time shut off from supply elsowhere.—l am, etc.; CHAS. L. SIMMONDS.