CORRESPONDENCE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 88, 13 April 1912, Page 9

CORRESPONDENCE.

A WHITE NEW ZEALAND-AND DEFENCE. TO THE BDITOR. Sir, — The following paragraph appears in your columns of the 11th inst. : — "The New Zealand Labour Party Conference has affirmed the advis?,bility of ' a white New Zealand,' " In the same ieeuo appears a report of remarks that fell from members of a deputation which recently waited upon the Minister of Defence, with the object of urging him to bring about the repeal of that portion of the Defence Act which makes for tho compulsory training of our * young men. The deputation consisted, apparently, of prominent members of the Now Zealand Labour party. Will theao person? explain how " a white New Zealand " is to be maintained, without the aid of ah organised trained and armed force of defenders? Perhaps Professor Mills. Mi P. O'Regan, or the representative of ther National Peace Society will enlighten th» inhabitants of New Zealand as to their mode of repelling an invasion of coloured aliens, should the latter decide to fore* their way into the Dominion? A.t Christchurch (which _ appears to bo the hot-bed of anti-militarists) quite recently, a strong demonstration was organified_ against rsomo Chinese fruiterers who wished to conduct biusinesft there. Presumably, the same folks would resent the lauding in New Zealand of a million or so of tho four hundred millions of Chinee© that are herding together, ill many cases in a state of semi-starvation, in China. Were these people nware of Ihe fact that this grand and fertile country was left in an entirely unprotected state (and there are plenty of Chinese in New Zealand who could and would quickly convey to Ohina auch news), what is more- likely than that thousands would* quickly make for our shore*?? The anti-militarists possibly consider that our few police would be sufficient to prevent an alien invasion, or mayhap come of the leaders against military training would get on the tail of an express, and with the aid of au interpreter explain to the invaders Hiat they; muM not land in New Zealand, as it- was a, white man's country. Mr. O'Regan, 1 observe, in a communication which recently appeared in your columns over his signature, congratulate-* those who have defied the law. He characterises those who advocate the defence of our women and our homes (humble though many may be) us jingoei. -He predicts that those who advocate a system of national defence will get all the tight they are looking for. Kitchener, Baden-Powell, and Godley, are, <-o Mr. O'ltagan declares, not going to rule him. Well done Mr. O'Regan, you appear at any rate to bo a tighter, and if the balance of the _ anti-militarist party can , twirl a shillelagh with you, it will easily manage to scare off any foreign invasion without the aid of a trained and armed force. Seriously speaking, it ie lamentable tonote the inconsistency of those connected with Labour organisations ; they clamour (and rightly so) for "a white New Zealand," but with the same breath a, section of them declaim against the training of our youths. Obviously the agitator is 'at woik, such men's main object in life is to bask in the limelight , of notoriety; but I am convinced that th« saner section of the Dominion's inhabitants, both male and female, will agree that training and discipline arc absolutely necessary for the improvement of tho-physique of every able-bodied youth. Let the" anti-niijitansts question any of those Territorials who have recently been in camp, and they will find that an enjoyable time was experienced, and that our lade were, benefited both physically and morally. ' The Defence Minister and the "authorities ar£ to be commended for the firm stand they have taken ; training and discipline are essential for the welfare of our youths. Even, the antimilitarist party will acknowledge it in time. 'No one, of course, desire* to see youths sent to prison, but th«s, authorities should take strong measures with the view of suppressing such disloyal busybodiesi as are at present tampering with tho6e of our youths, who, if left alone, would cheerfully join the Territorials and take part in the pleasures of an occasional camp t out in the open air, — I am, etc., 11th April. "AYE READY."