NATIONAL DEFENCE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 532, 12 June 1909, Page 6

NATIONAL DEFENCE.

Sir,—Tlio most important and all-absorbing question nf tlie day is doubtless our national defence. No doubt Jlr. M'Nab, during his campaign, has proved to the utmost that tlho volunteer movement is totally inadequate for the present needs of tho.Dominion, and that the time has arrived when Parliament must devise some more effectual sohemo of defence which can. only be dono by compnlsorv training', This is the most important question wo luivo over liad to cousidcr, as it refers directly to our national existence, and any man who is not .prepared to do his share towards the :defcnco of his country should clear out, and '■not.staj' to participate in'its privileges' not being willing to contribute to t&e maintonjmoo of the sarns,

It is a question that mnst be approached with an open mind and a largo heart—ano mat requires the most careful consideration. It has been stated Wiat ono great reason fiat t(ho volunteer movement has proved a failuro is the difficulty of enforcing discipline. If. such is the case, that is tho firet great principle to consider. .Science has so improved too weapons of warfare that it has made tho. stern realities of war much sterner, necessitating much, stricter discipline. It was only by their splendid discipline ("Theirs not to reason why, thoir* but to do and dio") tta* tho Japs achieved tSieir glorious victorie# over superior numbers and almost impregnable positions.- Such a discipline as this ' cannot bo inculcated in Mr. M'N«Vb short Bervico scheme; it is tho result of long ami careful training; and if wo arc to profit by' tho lesson taught us by tJho Japs, wo mnst' appeal to the mothers of New Zealand to traJn "P their children from tho cradle to "FoaivGod, honour their parents, and to love their .country," thereby laying a. strong foundation upon.which to build up kno discipline. It is to woman and tho lovo of ' women flhat Britain largely owes her proud position in tho forefront of nations to-day, and I am gnre wo can rely upon tho women • u ?*° e ' r s ' wr<! *° maintain her m her glorious position. Tho Education Department has; wisely included drill in tho E <*«<>l.curriculum. This should bo continued' ' until the youth arrives at manhood, when ho would bo drafted tbrougli a series of reserves, with periodical training if necessary, so that ho would bo availaWo wlea toquired. ' .-■ .-'-,-,■ Thoro b also another point which most ■ , I S? fc $!&& of > an(J *»t is tho.monr*^° f t^.- 1 J av ?- At °« r pwsent rate of buflding England will soon find it impossiHo to man toer Navy wfthout our assistance, and as this is our first and most important lino of .. defence, it should receive "tho first oonsidera.' tion; rn fact, the whole question is much too largo for tee'layman, and can only be dealt with by a. body of experts—by such men as Itoborte, Kitchener, 'Fisher, Boresford, Soott, and. others who havo made this question'tho study of their lives. Our duty as laymen ia plam—to insist.upon.the Government dealJ ng im , ais matter at once, that wo maybe -Beady, aye Ready I"—I am, otc., ™ ,„ SAML. J. CAHMAK. ' . Wastuaa West, Juno 10. ' , !