COMPULSORY MILITARY TRAINING

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 555, 9 July 1909, Page 2

COMPULSORY MILITARY TRAINING

A departure from the usual proceedings .of.the Yorkshire Society's meetings took place on Wednesday night, when ; the progrsunnie for the even: ing w.isa dobato on the proposition, "That it is desirable, that'a-, system of -.'compulsory military training should b« established in the. in-, terosts of the Dominion."" JMr. Q, H. H.elliwell presided, 'and -the evening's entertainment was opened-with a violin solo by Miss Bedford. < Mr. G. T. Hall then commenced the debate by moving 'in the affirmative. Tho: grounds of his argument were briefly, lhat-6omo system' of defence was : absolutely necessary' ( to. the Do-, minion, and. that the Volunteer system had not proved a success either,in regard-to providing'an efficient defence force or on the of inexpensiveness. At present, ho said,'tho' defence forces of the Dominion cost'.£2l7,ooo, and only 5000 men who'had had thefield training necessary to efficiency were provided. IV the expenditure of an additional .£141,000, ft fully-trained fighting force of 30,000 bo secured. And this would not be conscription, for the men would bo taken into camp for. only one month in'each year, and would be paid for their time. .Mr. Hall concluded by-laying btrcss on tho .urgent need for \an adequate defence force to' protect our homes, and keep New Zealand"'white. .-...." Mr. W. S. Bedford, who opposed, argued that thero was no need for defence, for the ancient causes of war—petty jealousies of - monarch*, religious fanaticism, and dynastic troubles—did not exist. . The only causa' for, war nowadays would be. the'.-, desire for-territory.. . Furthermore,, the Volunteer system had not failed, for, according to a recent statement of tho Primo Minister, there was now a greater percentage of Volunteers to tho. population of New Zealand than of any other British possession, including the United Kingdom. . A number of other members took part in the debate. . , ... The motion,in favour of compulsory training was carried by a majority of two to one. '