THE DEFENCE SCHEME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14929, 29 February 1912, Page 6

THE DEFENCE SCHEME.

The approval expressed by General Godley upon the working of the Defence Scheme will be gratifying to all who have given their energies or their active sympathies to the cause of national security. There are in every community a few benighted individuals who regard with horror and indignation any suggestion that a man's country has any claim upon him or that the armed hosts of foreigners and aliens are dangerous to countries who close the door in their faces. But this, happily, is not the dominating sentiment of New Zealanders or of any other nation which is virile and hopeful. Whichever Government is in office, and however parties ebb and flow, our administrators recognise the need for defensive preparations, and our people realise that those who cannot defend their liberties very quickly have no liberties to defend. So far from objecting to the agitation said to be conducted by Little Englanders against Australia and New Zealand because of our universal defensive training regulations, we ought to be pleased that it has made clear our national attitude. These new countries, much as they need immigration and population, need not regret the absence of any who are too cowardly or too perverse to train for the national defence in time of need. Our young New Zealanders, as General Godley tells us, are generally entering with enthusiasm into the movement, and the training camps have been found to offer not only valuable defensive training, but an enjoyable experience, to healthy and normal men-.