WOMEN AND DEFENCE

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 112, 11 May 1912, Page 9

WOMEN AND DEFENCE

DEPUTATION TO MR MYERS. THE MINISTER HECKLED. [by tklbobaph—press association.) CHRISTCHURCH, 10th May. A deputation of'women waited on the Hon. A. M. Myers, Minister for Defence, to-day on the subject of military training. Ifc was very evident that some of those present took a very theoretical interest in tho question. On the other hand, there were those who, as mothers of lads who had suffered imprisonment, felt a very poignant interest. The interview was a remarkable one. Some of the speakers stated their views 'with a volubility and extravagance of language which took away from the deputation's protest any dignity it might have had. The deputation wag introduced by Mr. L. M. Isitt, M.P. Quite a number of' women insisted on speaking, and the Minister attempted unsuccessfully to stem the torrent of speeches. Finally, he rose and insisted on making his reply. He said that he fully recognised the earnest spirit of the speakers. This was certainly tho most frank deputation he had ever received. When ladies took up any matter that appealed .to their consciences there wae no one more in earnest. He was nob surprised at their earnestness, and neither was he surprised at their extravagant language. The Minister was not allowed to proceed very far before a babel of dissent broke out, 'and remarks of a painfully free sort were addressed to him from a section of the audience. Quite a number'ojMadies, 'who were taking the affair quietly, sat back and smiled. Finally, Mr. ißitfc rose, and made a remonstrance, and Mr. Myers wae allowed to proceed. Mr. Myers went on to say that personally, having lost his father at on early age, he had been in a position fully to appreciate the care of a good mother. He recognised that women were more directly and indirectly interested than men in the Act. He intended to speak very frankly to them. They resented encroachments on their rights and privileges, but they must recognise their responsibilities. The system had been brought in to keep this free country freer; and to keep it as free as possible. An incredulous whistle came from the audience—it may have been from- one of the ladies. Mr. Myers, resuming, 6aid that he believed „ the defence system would strengthen parental control over the young. , . l ■ This was greeted With another outburst' of dissent, and some vigorous "Noes!" Mr. Myers replied that parental control was waning. There was .nothing more calculated to strengthen it than the discipline the boys would learn in camps. This evoked' a frantic outburst, and cries of "Conscript!" etc. Undaunted, Mr.. Myers started again. This, he said, was an age of great armaments. The more they were prepared for war, the less likely they wer« to get it. "It means more war!" the deputation contradicted. "A Prime Minister can betray his country !" someone cried. Mi-. Myers said he intended to carry out his duty. He declined to consider the defence question from the point ot t political expediency, i He would not do? that with any question so far as he was concerned. In spite of the threats of wiping out the Liberal party and wip. ing out himself, the law would be carried out. The deputation could put people in power to represent them and^ the law would be altered. There was another noisy demonstration, though several of the leaders called for silence and appreciated the Minister's statement of the case. Mr. Myers appealed to the deputation not to be obsessed with their own point of view. He hoped that they would never have^a foreign foe here carrying, out 'atrocitfes which he could not refer to in the presence of women. There was no such thing as conscription. "It is conscription!" came the reply. "You have made 'up your minds," said Mr. Myers. "The training is to help our men to repel an invasion, of our hearths and homes." "Rot!" was the elegant interpolation by a lady with a strong voice. Mr. Myers took exception to this in» terjection, and several members of the deputation indicated their displeasure. Mr.'- Myers concluded the interview with a very definite statement: "Solowg as I am Defence Minister, and a member of Parliament, and consider that the Act is in. the best interests of the •jommunity, I intend to support it." Ho regretted the display of feeling, ard advised the ladies to look on'all sides of the question. "We have been reading the military journals," one of them retorted.