CAN WE AFFORD IT?

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIV, Issue 57, 12 March 1910, Page 3

CAN WE AFFORD IT?

LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION

INTERVIEWED

AUCKLAND, Mar. 10

The leader of the Opposition (Mr W. F. Massey) to-day stated that he had not had an opportunity of thorougly studying Lord Kitchener's recommendations, but he consented to state his views in regard to the main principles of the proposals. "I supported the Defence Act of last session," said Mr Massey, "because I felt that we ought to do a great deal more than we had been doing in the way of defence, and am anxious that we should, as far as possible, take advantage of the advice and experience of the distinguished soldier who has just visited this country. I think, however, that it would 'be a mistake at present to go beyond the expenditure contemplated by the Act of 1909, or increase the age for military training. "I notice that the Minister for Defence estimates the maximum cost of Lord Kitchener's scheme at £470,----000 per annum. To that we have to add £100,000 as the annual subsidy to the Imperial Navy, and interest and sinking fund in conneceiou with

the Dreadnought, estimated a€ £150,000 per annum—say £750,000 in all. Can the Dominion afford this at present? I think not. I consider we should go on with the Act of last year, amend it where it requires amendment, and at the same time work on the lines laid down by Lord Kitchener, but subject to the defence expenditure being kept down to as near half a million per annum as possible. I am quite certain that it we launch out into an extravagant scheme there will be a reaction, and we shall lose the ground we have gained."

In regard to the prosposal for increasing the age for military training, Mr Massey said:—"l am sure* this would also be a mistake. Many people do not look favourably on. compulsory training up to 2\ } but if we increase the age to 26, as suggested, there will be dislocation of certain industries and consequently trouble, and I for one cannot agree to the proposal. The Minister for Defence says that the new suggestions can be given effect to without increasing the taxation, but do not 'let us forget that Parliament increased the taxation last year by approximately half a million a year, and on the understanding that the increase* in Customs were to' be only temporary, Parliament and the people willexpect that promise to be kept, and if adhered to there would be doubt about our ability to finance the new. scheme."

In regard to the suggestions that Australia and New Zealand should adopt homogeneous military systems, Mr Massey said that this proposal was obviously a sound one. "The two countries," he said, "should so arrange their defences as to ,b» able to co-operate in time of danger, as it was quite certain that in the event of trouble they would have to~ stand or fall together. The proposal that we should send our cadets to be instracted at the Australian Military College is- manifestly also a good one. I agree with the Prime Minister that this is not a party question. It isabove party. Lord Kitchener's advice to not allow personal considerations to stand in the way of efficiency must also, of course, be followed if we expect to build up a sound system of defence." <=~ In conclusion, Mr Massey said: — "The country as a whole is willing to do it 3 duty from an Imperial point of view, but the new proposals, and even the provisions in the new Defence Act, are largely experimental, and I think we are much more likely to do the right thing in the way of duty to the Empire and our own. country if we avoid plunging and make haste slowly."

OFFICERS:

President and Director of Sports: W.. P. Newport, Esq. Judge: Rev. Father Fay. Assistant Judges: J. M. Morrison and Jas. Smith. Judge of Field Events : P. Meehan. Referee: N. C. Perrin. Handicapper of Foot Events: Ulic Shannon, Esq. Handicapper for Cycle Events: A. R. Thomson, Esq. Treasurer: T. Keating. Timekeepers: Messrs Harding, Na'ph, and Ferry. Clerk of Course: D. Casey. Competition Stewards: F. J. Morrison, J. Morrison, Jno.. Smith, and J. D. Morrison. Starter: A. J. Curry. Assistant Starter: J. H. Morrison. * Secret tary: T. Mitchell. Assistant Secretary: A. Smith. Committee: W. F. Newport, F. J. Morrison, P. Meehan, F. E. Morrison, James Smith, J. H. Morrison, D. Casey, J. Morrissey, Jno. Smith, J. D, Morrison, T. Keating, A. Smith. M. Lydon, E. O'Neill, W. F. O'Brien, J. M. Morrisonj M. Peters. Result Board Steward: F« E. Morrison. /

PROGRAMME. 1. Maiden Foot Race, 120 yards.— First prize, 30s; second, 155,. Entrance, 2s. 2. President's Handicap, 220 yards. —First prize, £5; second, £2; third, 20s.' Nomination, 2s; acceptance, 3s. 3. Half-mile Bicycle Race Handicap. —First prize, 50s and E. H, Best's Trophy; second, 20s. Entrance, 2s 6d. 4. High Jump Handicap. — Firsf* prize, 30s; second, 15s. Entrance*

5. .Boys' Bicycle Race ' Handicap, under 18 years.—First prizo,Blsmore and Patfhett's trophy; second, trophy; third, trophy* • Entrance, Is. 6. Seddon Handicap, 150 yards. — First prize, £8; second, 50s; third, 30s. Nomination, 3s; acceptance, 4s. 7. One Mile Bicycle Race Handicap.—First prize, £3 and Wintringham and Deugarde's special trophy; second, 205.. Entrance, 3s. 8. St. Patrick's Grand Handicap, L 120 yards.—First prize, £20; second, £7; third, £3. Nomination, 4s; acceptance, 6s. 9. Stepping Competition. — Prize. 20s. Entry, Is * 10. One Hundred Yards Handicap (open).—First prize, £3; second, 40s. Entrance, 3s. To close afc 1 p.m. 11. Farmers' Handicap, Half-mile. — , First prize, £10; second, £3; third, 40s. Nomination, 3s; acceptance, ss. 12. St. Patrick's Wheel Race Handicap,- two miles.—First prize, £4 and Parker Cup, presented by E. S. Parker, Esq. (to be won twice in succession or three times at intervals); second, 255; third, 15s. Entrance, 4s. 13. Publicans' Handicap, 75 yards.— First prize; £7; second, 40s; third, 20s. Nomination, 3s; acceptance, 4s. 14. Bandsmen's Race.—-First prizes trophy; secbrid, trophy.'Entrance Is. ■ ■'". 15. Blenheim Handicap; 440 yards.— First prize, £5j . second, 40s; third, 20s. .Nomination, 2s; acceptance, 3s--16. Forced Handicap,' 220 yards. — First prize, £2; second, 15s. All winners of running events forced to enter. Entrance: Winners, "3s; non-winners, 2s. For particulars of Rules and Regulations see Posters. ~,. Selections by the Hibernian Band. Grand National Concert in Town Hall, at 8 p.m. T. MITCHELL, Secretary.: