THE DEFENCE-ACT.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXI, Issue LXII, 11 May 1912, Page 5

THE DEFENCE-ACT.

DEPUTATION TO THE MINISTER,

BAITED BY A DEPUTATION OF WOMEN.

B* TELEGRAPH-PdESS ASSOCIATION.

CHRISTCHURCH, May 10. A deputation of women waited on the Minister for Defence today in reference to military training. It was very evident that some or those present took merely a theoretical interest in the 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 was introduced by Mr L. M. Isitt, M.P. Quite a number of women insisted on speaking. The Minister attempted to stem the torrent of speeches, and finally he rose and insisted on making his reply. He, said that he fully recognised the earnest spirit of the speakers. This was certainly the most frank deputation he had ever received. When the ladies tooTc up any • matter that appealed to their conscience there was no one more in earnest. He was not 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 deputation. Quite a number of ladies who were taking the affair onietlv sat back and smiled.

Finally Mr Isitt rose and made a remonstrance, and Mr Myers was allowed to proceed.

Mr Myers went on to say that, personally, having lost his father a,t an early age, he had been in a position to fully appreciate the care of a good mother. -He recognised that women were more directly 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 reeoscnise 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 rna'y have been from one of the ladies.

h Mr Myers recurred that >>c believed that the defence system would stx?ngthen parental control over the young.

There was another outburst of dissent and some vigorous "Noes/ 1

Mr Myers replied that parental control was waning. There was nothing more calculated to strengthen it than the discipline boys would learn in the camps.

This evoked a. frantic outburst and cries of ''eonscriot," etc.

Undaunted, Mr Myers started again, was the age of great armaments. The more they were prepared for war the less likely they were to get it.

"It means more war," the deputation contradicted.

"A Prime Minister can betray his eour:trv." someone cried.

Mr Myers said that he intended to carry out his duty. He declined to consider the defence emestion from the point of nolitical expedience. He wo^ld not do that with any question. As far as he was concerned, in spite of threats of wiping out the Liberal Party and wipi-'ijr out himself, the law would be carried out. The deputation coTild put people in pmvpr to represent it, and the law would he nliered.

Thove was another demonstration, though several of the leaders '*a]|pd f^v siilpnce, and ay.^veciaied the Minister's st?»+«T»"<"Tfc of the

Mr Myers appealed +o the deputation iir>t to be i'Ksessed Wtb their own poi"+> of view. He hoped that they wo^ld never have a forpirrn foe here carrying '>nt atrocities which he could noh refer to in the presence of women. There was no such tbin^ as conscription.

"ft is conscription,

' came the. renlv

"fmi have mr<de no yonr minds,' r said Mr Myers. "The training is to help our men to repel sn invasion of our hearths nrid hom«s."

"Rot!" was the elegant interpolation by a lady ■"'rfch a strong voi^R. Mi Myers took exception to this interjection. pv>rl several members of the deputation indicated their displeasure.

My Myers concluded the interview M'ith a v-ovy definite ..statement. "So long as T nm Defence Minister and a member of Parlianr«nt n^d consider that the Act is in the best interests of t^e community, I intend to support it." He rp<rvet+ed the display of feeling, and advised top ladies to look on all sides of the question.

"Wf T-"vv*e beov» readins tbp military journals," one of them retorted.