THE BACKBONE OF DEFENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14145, 21 August 1909, Page 5

THE BACKBONE OF DEFENCE.

Tin-: Acting Minister for Defence, Hon. 0. Fowlds, speaking on defence matters at, an entertainment given to him by the Christchureh Garrison Officers' Club, said he was hbiself a man of peace, but he entertained a profound respect for the men and women who were devoting time, comfort, and convenience to their country. The Dominion had indeed reason to be proud of those who were leading in its defence. There was at present an almost universal cry for . universal military training, and the trend of opinion throughout the English-speaking' world was certainly in favour of the adoption of a scheme of defence of this character. He considered, however, that those who had been strenuously advocating the adoption of such a scheme in New Zealand had made a very grave mistake in depreciating the efficiency of the volunteer forces. Both officers and men in very considerable numbers had made great sacrifices in fitting themselves for the defence of their country, and they had attained a standard and efficiency which should be acknowledged, rather than depreciated, as it had been in some quarters. He was certain that if military training were made compulsory the backbone of the defence system would still be the volunteer force, for in neither quality nor capacity, would pressed men rank equal with volunteers.