COMPULSORY MILITARY TRAINING.

Mataura Ensign, 20 December 1909, Page 4

COMPULSORY MILITARY TRAINING.

VIEWS OF THE EDUCATION BOARD. The chairman of the Southland Education Board mentioned at Friday's meeting that the National Defence Association desired an expression of opinion by tho Board on tho Defence Bill and tl;■:■ question of compulsory military train.ng for youths. He (Mr T. MacGib...,u) felt very much interested in the matter and considered that compulsion was the only solution of the difficulty. There might be a difference of opinion as to details, but ho thought that they were all of ono mind that it was necessary the youths should be trained not only so as to prepare for the defence of their country, but also because of the benefits, physical jmd mental, that it bestowed upon them. He moved: That the Board cordially approved of the Bill now before the House and trusted Parliament would see its way to pass the same. Mr Gilchrist seconded the motion. He said they were in favor of some reasonable form of compulsory military training. Mr Smith said he was not in favor of it unless they could make some arrangements that would not inconvenience employers such as would be the caso were' it necessary that all should turn out for the annual week's training at the same time.

Mr Gilchrist: That is what I mean by "reasonable form." Mr Smith remarked that if the whole of the youths were to be trained in the ono week some businesses would have to close.

Mr Fisher did not think they should commit themselves entirely to the Bill because there were probably some clauses that they did not approve of. Ho supported the rninciple of the training of the youths. The motion was made to read as follows : That the Board is of opinion that the time has arrived when some reasonable form of compulsory military training should be adonted and the Board expresses its hearty approval of any measure having this object in view. Mr Gilchrist remarked that a scheme could be made most oppressive both to town and country. The motion was carried.