Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22nd., 1937. NO CONSCRIPTION?

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 February 1937, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22nd., 1937. NO CONSCRIPTION?

«yi-iE Government is opposed to conscription in any shape or form,” said the Prime Minister, (Mr. M. J. Savage) when replying at Christchurch, on Saturday, to a deputation from the National Peace Council, which asked for the repeal of the compulsory training clauses of the Defence Act. Presumably, Mr. Savage was referring to military training only, because a Government that supports compulsory unionism, State control of many avenues of enterprise, and conscrption of wealth through heavy taxation, can scarcely be said to oppose conscription “in any shape or form.” Mr. Savage’s hope is that the young men of the Dominion will defend “automatically and voluntarily” the liberties of the country. Doubtless, they would do this, were New Zealand actually attacked, but, meanwhile, there appears to be little enthusiasm to prepare for such a task.

Conscription is unwelcome to nil British peoples, but it is Foolish to go to the other extreme, and do little or nothing in the way of defence preparation. Love of peace and desire Io be friendly with all other nations, is not enough. Apart from'the physical training. discipline. and other benefits available through some degree of military service, the duty of defence preparation should need no stressing. Canada’s Prime .Minister, on Saturday, declared that he was opposed to Canada “sponging” on Britain, or the Monroe doctrine, for protection for Canada. This self-reliance is to be commended. At present? New Zealand appears Io be quite willing Io “sponge” on the Motherland, or rely on the for-

bearance of envious foreigners. New Zealand is -willing to make money grants for defence, but personal service, the most important of all contributions, is left to the patriotic few. If any degree of compulsory military training is anathema to the present New Zealand Government, the obvious duty is to make voluntary service really attractive, and to accord honour and encouragement to those who are undertaking a duty that others shirk. The Peace Council is not the ideal private organisation that the Government should look to for guidance as to how the Dominion should be defended. That adequate defence is desirable and worth while should not be disputed. Nor should it be left too late.

BANDS CONTEST. not quite securing the highest honours, the Greymouth Civic Band did very well to . gain second place in the B grade competitions at Nelson, last week, and district congratulations

will be general. The experience gained and the degree of success won will help the Civic during the preparation period between now and next year’s contest, and if harmony and enthusiasm continue, it may be that the result next year may be even happier than at last week. Gratification at the advance of the Civic, will be accompanied by regret that the Greymouth Municipal Band was unable to attend at Nelson,' where it was hoped that the Band’s fine record of attainment would have been increased. The contests at Nelson were marked by candid comments from the two judges, and particularly from Mr. Kerry from Australia. He made little attempt to be popular, but his value as a judge may have been the greater for this honesty of expression of opinion. Some think that judges at these contests, —and other competitions —should be to faults more than a little blind, or deaf, but candour is really the best policy for all concerned. The aim of these contests is to improve standards, and this would be impossible were respect for persons to be a guiding principle for the judges. If compliments are sought rather than advice, why go to the expense of engaging experts? Bands play—in a double sense—an important part in district amenities, and the higher the standard of the musicians the greater the enjoyment for the community. Realisation of this should be as balm for any wounded susceptibilities of those criticised at Nelson.