THE PRIME MINISTER AND DEFENCE.

Evening Star, Issue 13091, 26 October 1908, Page 4

THE PRIME MINISTER AND DEFENCE.

[Special to the Stab.] CHRISTCHURCH, October 26. The ‘ Press,’ referring to Sir J. G. Ward’s observations on Defence, says ; “We do not profess to know where the Prime! Minister gets his idea that the country would not agree to any system of compulsory training of our young men for the defence purposes. The country has not yet had an opportunity of expressing its opinion on the matter, but judging by the candidates who are supporting the suggestion, the next House may quite conceivably contain a majortiy of members who approve of it. There Js apparently an increasing tendency to throw the iriternal defence of the country on the cadets, and it does not fulfil the needs of the country. Perhaps when the House meets again Sir Joseph Ward may find that he is a long way behind public opinion on this matter, and he will then, wo may be sure, act accordingly. In the meantime it looks very much as if he had no fixed convictions of his own except that compulsory training would be unpopular (and therefore, of course, undesirable), and as if he were feeling the public pulse before propounding a policy.”

Mr J. W. Munro speaks at Arthur Street School Gymnasium on Wednesday night, and at Albany Street Hall on Friday. Mr T. K. Sidey speaks in the South Dunedin Hall to-morrow evening. Mr J. F. Arnold will meet his comtees as follows at 7.30 each evening : Walker Street Mission Hall, to-morrow ; Mornington Town Hall, and Belleknowes Mission Hall, Wednesday. Mr E. G. ■ Allen addressed the electors of Chalmers at the schoolhouse, Upper Junction, on Saturday night. The chair was occupied by Mr Jas. Anderson. The speaker dealt with matters chiefly interesting to farmers, and at the close of his remarks a vote of continued confidence in Mr Allen as their representative was carried unanimously on the motion of Mr Tom Lewis, seconded by Mr Williams. Tho Hon, J. A. Millar's Roslyn Committee and supporters meet at the Fire Brigade station, next Council Chambers, at 7.30 p.m. to-morrow.