THE “CONSCRIPTION” RUMOUR
The minds of a good many people will be set at rest when they read in the columns of the “Times” this morning the statement of the Prime Minister that the 'Government does not -contemplate instituting a system of universal military service. The apprehension that the militia was about to bo called out arose in a very excusable way. “Enrolling” in popular estimation finds its natural corollary in “parading,” just as levying a rate implies that it will be collected. As it turns out, however, the enrolling is something that for the present stands quite alone, and there was absolute necessity in the public interest to make public mention of it. At the same time' the ventilation given to the facts can do no possible harm. On the contrary, it will do good. It will serve to remind the people of the Dominion that the old classification of fighting material which was rendered obligatory in the time (happily long past) of our difficulties with the native race is still extant and ready for use for the next emergency, which, let us hope, lies far away in the future. The position as it exists to-day is put with clearness by Sir Joseph Ward in the report which appears in another part of this issue. From the Premier’s statement it is evident that, while there is no intention on the part of the Government to “militarise” the country, there is a wise disposition to take account of all the sources from which support may be drawn in the hour of need. The incident has served also to demonstrate that the Council of Defence is no mere ornamental body, but a lively organism, from which excellent work may be expected.
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6326, 28 September 1907, Page 6
Word Count
290THE “CONSCRIPTION” RUMOUR New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6326, 28 September 1907, Page 6
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