THE DEFENCE SYSTEM.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16479, 19 February 1914, Page 6

THE DEFENCE SYSTEM.

If it were possible for General Godley to come into closer contact with the anti-militarists and passive resistors who add so much to the worries of his office these protesting people would realise that the Commandant is at least making a very earnest effort to carry out his duties with as little friction as possible. In a talk with one of our representatives yesterday he expressed himself just as anxious as the members of the Peace Council are to avoid the introduction of any of the evils of Continental militarism into this country. Tho prosecution of defaulters is not part of his business or of the officers under his control, and he wants the public to understand that he is not here to assist in whittling away their civil rights, but to help in preparing them for their own defence. In this respect it must be said in justice to Mr 'Allen, that the attitude of the Commandant is the attitude of the Minister of Defence. It is the fashion in Cathedral Square and at the Clock Tower to pioture Mr Allen as a bloodthirsty war lord bent on training all the young men of the dominion in the use of arms for the purpose of entering upon a campaign of foreign conquest, but as a matter of fact, the Minister is just as sincerely devoted to peace as the rest of us are. With a great deal of his policy we strongly disagree, but with his administration we have little fault to find. He has announced his intention to make provision for the " conscientious objector" as well as for tho "religious objector," a step we have been urging upon him ever since he took Office, and for the alternative service which is the corollary to exemption. With these reforms effected wo shall expect to see the defence system freed from a good deal of the angry criticism it is now encountering. When it has won the universal goodwill of which General Godley dreams, the credit will be. largely due to the Commandant's own tactful bearing ever since he entered upon his duties. ...