NATIONAL DEFENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13709, 27 March 1908, Page 6

NATIONAL DEFENCE.

UNIVERSAL TRAINING

URGED.

PRIME MINISTER'S REPLY

"THE YELLOW PERIL."

A deputation from the National League of New Zealand waited- upon the Prime Minister yesterday, and urged upon him the desirableness of introducing universal defence training in Now Zealand, and also granting special railway concessions to the delegates attending the league's conference in Wellington next month. • The deputation consisted of .Messrs. J. C. Macky and J. Fa wens (vice-presidents), Canon Mac-Murray, the Revs. W. Gray Dixon and J. A. Luxford, and Messrs. C. P. Murdoch, F. Cower and W. Lane and It. M. Racket (lion, secretaries).

Mr. J. C. Macky pointed out that their organisation was entirely a voluntary one, having been started 18 months ago, in a comparatively small way, and it was now becoming more and more recognised, as the principles upon which it was based were •sound. If they were to preserve peace in this country they could only do so by being prepared for war, by training their young men SO that when the time came they would be lit to enter the field. They had studied the Swiss system, which had been in operation for some 30 or 40 years, and had been a great success, and they hoped that something on the same lines would be adopted here. In this country there were hundreds of millions of pounds worth of property and nearly a .million people, and it was quite plain that some adequate measures should be adopted for protection. The league would be holding a conference in Wellington next mouth and he urged that some concession, if not free passes, should be granted to the delegates. Canon Mac Murray submitted that there was a distinct sense of insecurity overcoming the people of the Dominion in regard to defence, and they were beginning to ponder as to what should be done to put it on a proper footing. That the white civilisation of the 20th century was in peril he had not the slightest doubt., and that civilisation, lie contended, would only be maintained in years to come if it were strong enough and healthy enough. In this Dominion, and in Australia, at the present time, they naturally looked to the navy as the first great line of defence, but while they did so the league felt that they should do something for themselves, and urged the adoption of universal training, not only on the ground of national danger, .but also, on the ground of raising the morals of the community and the economic advantages which would be derived therefrom. He trusted that Sir Joseph would give the \ matter his serious consideration, and would do what he could to bring about the general training of the young manhood of the country.

Sir Joseph, Ward, in reply, said lie was only too pleased to receive such an important deputation, the members of which were so fully alive to the important question of defence, in ■which all were* concerned. He had long recognised, and it was obvious to anyone who looked into the question, that the real danger to these countries in the southern seas was the yellow peril. Australia was involved in it to a much greater extent than New Zealand, but New Zealand come next. The great importance of being ready for, .eventualities which might occur should be impressed on the public, and they could rest assured that anything the Government could do in helping them in this direction would be done. On his return to Wellington lie would place the matter of railway concessions before the Minister for Railways. , There was a recognised system for concessions to societies, and he thought that the league should be placed on the same footing as the; others in -this respect, and would recommend, jt bo to the Minister. It was of the first importance that in this country we should have our young men ready to take the field when they were called upon to do so. There was, however, a distinction between forced militia, which was advocated by some, and men voluntarily going into the field and preparing for the defence of their country. A difference of opinion prevailed, as to which was the more desirable, and he thought that they should go on educating the public. He promised to give the whole matter consideration upon his return to Wellington.