COMPULSORY TRAINING.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXX, Issue 14983, 1 May 1909, Page 7

COMPULSORY TRAINING.

[Per PnFs« Association'.] WELLINGTON, April 30. Discussing compulsory military training at the Trades and Labour Council’s meeting, Mr M’Laren, M.P., said that tho matter was one of great importance and action should he one of combined .unions. He moved—“ That the matter bo referred back to the Auckland Union with a, view to having' it brought before tho annual .conference.” Mr Nnughton agreed with the compulsory system of defence. The Volunteer system, lie said, was a fraud and a humbug. The Volunteers were doing good work, but there were not enough of them. He advocated compulsory training because nine-tenths of the people could not take up a rifle and hit a haystack. Mr Dowdall said that most of the "Volunteers joined to curry favour with their employers,cr for private benefit. Ho was not a poltroon or coward, but lie would not shed one drop of blood for tho Empire until the workers were placed on “ a class conscience basis,” and the Stato would have to take over the machinery of production. The motion was carried.