TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLIII, Issue XLIII, 3 April 1909, Page 2

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

The- walls of the City Council Chambers were shaken last naval evening as they have supiiemacy nev.T been shaken be-

fore. The "good old flag of Eiiij'aaid -v. its bi.iniii.-hed in the brec.o" ami ihe trumpets bY.v fonh a challenge- to tlis world. Dreadnoughts exploded in the mom, but the warriors stood to the'r guns und won the play Shot and shell were depifu'd bur-! ing with venomous wrath, over th. "|nv.ciful city of Nelson" till Lord Olson's picture on tho wall tinned quite pale. Tho Council was discn.-si.ig ia-. anion of thf Xcw Zval_.nd Oovcrniri-nt l;' presenting a Dreadnought to Kngiand. and all were not of th? _-ame cp : -i : oi.. Cr. Orac*. vv.t* the primp; ppppvip. .p__p.l he des'red the Council to endorse the Gove*ii_i_<.n*'is action, and in donig so ' br.inrii.h_J the sword" nn-! "tinf.irle.l tho fi.it;." and "l__-al the li.._r t!-uin. ' The notices of motion previously had misMd-firo, but the Ma vor had received hi?. The night' liVf-ire h.. had been hnrninc; i\v. midnight oil turn ; ng up innumerable facts and figures re- | lating to British trade, ai;l broa l_-.de! after broadside ias fired al tho Ion;;---suffering councillors below. The Mayor saw victorj' by way of free trade, and nobody unprepared for war would have dared to contradict him. Bnt the powder of the speakers burnt itself out at last, and ordinary discussion proceeded. The Council was wise to p:.ss the resolution, even if innuineratUe llights wero unnecessary humed. As has frequently been pointed out, the gift largo though it is, is a mere bagatelle compared with the issues at stake.

It is extremely gratifying to observe that the Government defending at last intends to newzealand. bring abo,ffi, a nation, _, . a ' system of defence, i-roni the meagre details to hand it appears that the proposals provide that Boys from tho time of going tb school until they reach the age of 21, •will receive a thorough military training. This is a step in the right direction, though somewhat short, of tho compulsory training that the "Mail" has urged on many occasions. Of course, without somo.-dotailst of the proposals available it is impossible to comment except on the general idea. A doubt that exists perhaps is that the age of 21 is rather too young at which to conclude the training. Bu*. if an energetic and comprehensive course of training be provided, youth's, by t.ho timo they are twenty-one, J should have a very good idea of the use of Iho rifle, and should be qnite at home in general drill formation. N"w that a system of compulsory military training is in ? ; ght, great care will be needed in order to strike the hnppy mean. There is no need for prolonged camps ot absence from employment, nor is it necessary to provide a large number of drill nights. It seems that the present Volunteer system of drill would be quite sufficient. Under compulsory training thero would be many difficulties to face, fiich at securlnn tlie rp'^p.iis'te number of :n-'n for ar.!llepv tvnrV. e!e. nnd the-o will I'p'i'jnire top- more training th.vi •!_• re school n'p.l! can no-ib!v jji-e. Ac ha.-' , b«i'Pi - ■.ic-,1, wi'!, .,-.!• '.h... defiii'tc ipr-'. ! posals it is impossible to say verymuch ; but the main point at presentp is

! that tho Government has recognised ■ the necessity for compulsory training, i and so long as common sense is rej cognised in promoting the system, I nothing but good results should fol- ; low.