THE NEW DEFENCE BILL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15131, 23 October 1912, Page 8

THE NEW DEFENCE BILL.

APPROVED IN THE COUNCIL.

NO DIVISION ON SECOND READING.

[BY TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION".]

Wellington,.. Tuesday]!;; In-'the Legislative' Council this afternoon, Hon. H. D. Bell moved the second reading of the Defence Act Amendment Bill, already passed by the House. Mr. Bell m<l an effort had been made to meet the difficulties of religious objectors so fur as possible, and he hoped members would recog. nise that the objectors could be accommodated with ambulance duty. ... K . Hon. J. B. Gallon said be . considered that religious objectors should not be subject to any duties at all. They might rightly consider ambulance work was part of the military system. Hon. W. Beehan said he would not force shirkers into the force. They would probably only shoot their oflicers in time of war. There were plenty who. would coma forward voluntarily. Hon. J. Anstey condemned the establishment of a military system. He said lads were called away to waste time and money in accomplishing nothing. The men wanted drill and shooting, and not physical exercises in a room. Hon. B. Harris said they should not encourage this "religious awakening which was being experienced. These menwould come to their senses later on. People who would not fight for their wives and children were not. deserving of their food, and should be sent out of the country. Hon. C. Jones said bis sense of right ■ was shocked when he read of meetings ot protest, being held against the system of mild militarism which prevailed in tnlS country. Even Quakers had fought in th<3 past; they had fought in America. Cromwell -had fought with one band, and invoked a blessing from Heaven with the other. The second reading was tarried on tin voices.