Aγ THE MONUAIENT.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1182, 18 July 1911, Page 4

Aγ THE MONUAIENT.

ANTI-MILITARY SPEECHES. Willi a good crowd around him yestordny at tho Queen's Statue, Mr. W. S. tu'ilford, during tho luncheon hour, dealt with the imprisonment of the youth Cornish for failing to register under tho Defence Act of last session. "What crime has the boy committed," cried Mr. Bedford, "that lie should bo associated with criminals and wear the prisoner's dress? ... 1 am not hero to ask that you should break the law, but that you should protest against it ever having been put on the Statute Book without (ho pr..j-i. hnv. ing a say in the matter. Young Cornieh had gone to gaol for his kitni'iV pr.neiplos. Hβ deserved the (greatest praise, possible; he was (caching tno boys of tho Dominion something they would never forget. He backed his father's convictions, up even to tho. gaol. "Is he not one of the greatest heroes New Zealand has ever produced?" cried tho speaker. From this, Sir. Bedford went <on to deal with the Act itself. He contended it had been forced on the people, without their consent or, even thoir know''dge. of its provisions. It was also a "class, measure," for it was so framed that it was impossible for a boy to riso from the ranks. Mr. Cornish, son., father of the boy, named above, arrived on the some at this sf.ijre, and. gripping his hand. Mr. Bedford dceland that one of Ilio mwVst moments, of his life was then Vigorously lie shook MY. Ornish's hand, nnd said: "Your name, sir, will be known in New Zealand Ion.? after Joey Ward's i? forgotten." Mr. Cornish said a fow words. Ho would saoner sre his foii in his grave than serving under a representative of Royalty. Ho also dennmwd thn Government for its misre])re.«"iitatioii9 to (lie working men in tho past. Mr. G. G. Farlaiie, ropiosenkilive of ono of tho Lnlxmr unions, also iiimlo some remarks aliout militarism, which ho denounced. As fioil wa« his .Tud.ee, ho said, neither of his two eons would servo in tho ranks.

On Thursday next To Aro Hotifo will commence a nine days , winter sale. In u number of advertisements in this issue furl her oarticulars regarding tho sale will bo fouu —