NATIONAL DEFENCE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXII, Issue 26, 31 July 1911, Page 6

NATIONAL DEFENCE.

Correspondents, some luridly, others! temperately, most of them illogically, continue sending letters to the Editor of The Post in profes-t against the compulsory principle fot the defence of New Zealand. Not one writer advances one new argrtntent. Various pleas and allegations are repeated to the point? of weariness. Time and thtte again we have answered the objectors, but ignorance of the national principles and issues involved still prevails in some quarters. Hence The Post makes one more brief, comprehensive reply, The obvious has to be stressed in this answer, because the ODVioxfe is persistently overlooked by some of the writers. The times have changed since Waterloo Was Won. "Arms and the Man" are not the same in Europe 'and Asia to-day as they were a centiiry ago. In nearly every civilised country which has a deep sense of« nationality care jig taken to have efficient fighting machinery for self-defence. Several years ago there Was a, general feeling in New Zealand that the volunteer system was not a sufficient safeguard. The compulsory training scheme arrived by evolution, and not by revolution. It wa& not forced on New 2&aland by the iron hand of any Kitchener, not ttmwt upon the people by a Government sfet upon "militarism," Public opinion was the parent, and the Goverftttient was merely" the agent. The bteadfh and depth 0* that public opinion were revealed over two years ago by public meetings (addressedby Mr. ft. M'Nab and other gootl New Zealafcders) ahd by other evidence. Tha compulsory principle was approved by Parliament in 1809, months before a visit from Lord Kitchener to these islands was; anticipated. If sceptics deny that public opinion supports sane, fffir and square national defence, let them test the point during the next election campaign. They will have many opportunities to put questions to candidates. If "freedom- of conscience" permits a man to enjoy the fruits of peace, that, saf&£ conscience should make him willing /to do his part in maintaining that peace, Security is best obtained by training in arms, and the training, designed to get peace for ail, should logically be as universal as possible. The scheme which is now being put into operation is on© designed 'to interfere ad little as possible with the «con6mic interests of individuals 1 or communities." The cTy of "conscription" and "military dragooning" is r«i§ed against such a mild dispensation (per year) as this :~-For Senior Cadets (fourteen to eighteen years of age), fifty drills of one hotrr each, &i* half-day parades o| three hours each, and a course of musketry. For Teriitortal&, thirty drills of an hour and a half each, twelve half-day parades of three hours each (or six whoie day parades of six hours each), seven days,' training in. camp, and a course of musketry. It is everywhere recognised by thoughtful New Zealanders that these healthy military erter6iseg in shed afld field will be good for the eoanfry's manhood, and this necessary training is the only means by whbh the freedom of New Zealand can be preserved.