LORD ISLINGTON ON DEFENCE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1139, 29 May 1911, Page 4

LORD ISLINGTON ON DEFENCE.

K BELIEVER IN OUR SCHEME, (Bi Telegraph—Press Association.l Auckland, May 27. A largo gathering of military officer! assembled in Iho Garrison Club Eooms last nipht to welcome the Governor. Colonel Wolfe, extended a warm welcome to his Excellency as a seasoned soldier who had fought for the Empire and gaiimd distinction in Iho field.

Lord Islington said our military organisation opened a new chapter in the liislory of Ken - Zealand and also formed a firm, solid foundation for a universal effort throughout tho whole Empire. Hβ congratulated the Dominion on having as its Commandant General Godley, an officer possessing (lie three- great qualities'—, tact, ability, nnd esteem—necessary in a successful soldier. The officers at headquarters and the various districts wero also showing much ability in their work. The scheme )iou- in mid-stream Rave every prospect of success. Old soldiers said tho training given tho Territorials was finite inadequate as compared with the Continental soldiers, but if tho Territorials thoroughly applied themselves then in time of national disaster thev would be susceptible of -very rapid ait vimcomont. He was a great believer in the Territorial scheme, which was not au aggressive military scheme but the most peaceful of all arrangements that conld bo made under any system. Hβ promised the officers all the support he could give them while he was Governor, and he hoped they would keep in conrfaut touch with him and come to him in full confidence—in tho Garritou Officers' Club or in camp.

THAT CHALLENGE. COUNCILLOR FITZGERALD AMUSED. [To tho Editor.l Sir,—l noto with amusement tho attitude no.iv assumed by Messrs. Butler and Fernandos, who, by the way, appear to have blundered into a false of au authority to write on behalf of the- IVatherston Street stand of taxi-cab drivers. Those gentlemen are seeking a loop, hole whereby they may escape tho penalty that was to follow upon my proving incompctcncy on tho part of at least ono driver. They first of all charged mo with having spoken incorrectly at the meeting of the Wellington City Council when 1 referred to the necessity for guarding against incompctoncy in taxicab drivers. To prove how incorrect my statement was they challenged mo to provo incompetency in ono case. _My statement was based upon my experience of tho last two or three years, and judged by that experience, I would have no difficulty in establishing my point'. Moreover, I* stated my willingness to limit the period over which I would produce evidence of incompetency to the last 12 months, but your correspondents don't want any such evidence. I might prove that a certain driver had smashed half a dozen cms and maimed eomo persons within tho past year; I might prove, also, that several licenses have been cancelled for incompetency within the sumo period, but Messrs. liutler and Fnrriandos will not allow me to do )any such thing. They .want some port of a present test, and they expect Hint your readeis will believe them to bo sincere in their challenge, when they now take up the attitude that although a taxi-cab driver may have been hopelessly incompetent .up to yesterday, lie is now to be regarded as competent .if, to-day, he can pass a certain test. In such a test what driver would drive as he does nt all other times?—l am, etc., i. E. HTZGERALD.