FARMERS AND DEFENCE

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 152, 29 June 1914, Page 15

FARMERS AND DEFENCE

SOME INTERESTING REMITS. Some interesting remits on the Defence question have been set down on the order paper for the forthcoming Farmers' Union Conference in Wellington. The remits to be moved on behalf of the different branches are as follow :— By Southland and Taranaki : "That this conference approves the present system of military training, and would protest against a proposal to substitute the barracks system for training camps, but Would support a proposal to make the camps of a permanent nature during the day^, co that the men could attend at any period of the year for training." By Taranaki : "That this union, is of opinion that, in the interests of the health and morality of onr rising generation, it would be undesirable to substitute the barracks system for that of camps in training Territorials. " By Auckland : "(1) That the Defence Department be urged to consider the establishment of permanent camps, where the men could attend at any period of the year for training j (2) that, while the union approves of compulsory military training, it considers that it is most desirable that evening drills for cadets in country districts be discontinued, daylight drills to be substituted either fortnightly or monthly, %; the fact that lads from 14 to 18 are compelled to assemblo in the] townships, and being under no supervision after dismissal from drill, it fosters the larrikin element to a. serious extent." By Taranaki : "That as farjas possible all Territorial drills "be held fin the daytime and the taking of country boys to town avoided." By Southland : "That the Government be asked to make provision for any Territorial who may be permanently injured while on duty." By Taranaki : "That this conference, while affirming the position that New Zealand should contribute its fair share towards the defence of tho Empire, is of opinion that tho proposed change r,f policy in regard to the 'naval subsidy is such an all-important matter, and fraught with such serious and far-reaching results, that the Dominion should not finally be committed until the matter has been more fully discussed." By Otago : "That the Farmers' Union rifle competition conditions be altered, so that' any military position may be adopted : that (shooting at all ranges bo taken lying down, and competitors' be allowed their own time for each shot (not to exceed one minute)."