THE DEFENCE QUESTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13768, 5 June 1908, Page 6

THE DEFENCE QUESTION.

COMPULSORY SERVICE.

INCREASED NAVAL .SUBSIDY.

The resolution of the Farmers' Union Conference at Feilding in favour of compulsory military set vice, was referred to Mr. G. J. Garland, secretary to the Auckland Provincial Executive of the union, by a Hkhai.s) representative yesterday. Mr. Garland said thai, as far as he knew, the motion passed at Feildiug would very largely meet with the sympathy of the Fanners' Union in Auckland province. He thought the union here, howevei. would recognise that caution would be necessary before the full length .suggested was gone to. and that proper cognisance must be taken of the volunteer system as now in operation. Personally, he felt that the volunteer corps had done splendid work, and were doing spkndid work, and they should be encouraged in everv possible way. instead of being discouraged In the authorities. The point to be urged whs that when a school cadet left'' school ha should not be. allowed to drift "away from military training, but should be taken in hand till lie was old enough to join the volunteer forces. The motion passed at Feildiug was a good one, but it did not set out the age at which compulsory training was to commence. His own idea was that the younger the material was taken in hand the better. With reference to the naval subsidy, which the Farmers' Union Conference at Invercargiii suggested should be raised to £100*000, Mr. Garland thought the Auckland Farmers' Union would agree, without hesitation, that the sum suggested would not be too much tc ask the'taxpayers of the Dominion «to set aside. He did not think there would be a dissentient voice raised in the country to an increase in the subsidy.

MR. MASSEY'S OPINION. Mr. W. F. Massey. M.P., Lcackr of the Opposition, when asked for his opinion, said he would take another opportunity of referring to the idea of compulsory service, but he was prepared to agree at once that the naval subsidy should be increased to at least £100,000. The present subsidy was in nothing like adequate proportion to the benefits received in the protection afforded by the Imperial navy or tc tile payments made by the people of Great Britain. In contrast to the payments by the people at Home our subsidy was ridiculously Email. Any alteration, he believed, would have to be by arrangement with the Governments of Australia, as the present subsidy was on the basis of the arrangement between Australia and Great Britain. He thought the fanning community throughout the Dominion was in favour of an increase in the subsidy, and very properly so; in fact, the general community of New Zealand seemed to be in favour of an increase. Naval defence was more important than land defence to this country, but the volunteer forces were a- very important asset, and he was satisfied they were, not receiving the support they should receive.