NATIONAL DEFENCE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7445, 20 May 1911, Page 14

NATIONAL DEFENCE

(To- the Editor "N.Z. Times.”) Sir,—ln yonr issue of this morning- yon report the ■ Hon. Mr Millar as saying in his Picton speech that he “would certainly Ike to hear the voice of the people of this country to see whether they approve what we have done In regard to defence.” As one who in the earlier stages of the discussion of the question of defence felt some fear that the Government would not 'go far enough in this all-important matter. and. further, as one fairly conversant with the tone of the press of this country, permit me to assure the hon- gentleman that if the feeling of the country was not in support of the Government's action, they (the Government) would most certainly have had an emphatic expression of opinion ere this. If the volunteering enrolment has been a little slow, and on the whole I don't think it has, it must not bo attributed to the want of recognition on the part of the young men of New Zealand of their patriotism, which is really the first consideration, and the opportunity of getting improvement of deportment and discipline. Again, the work is being undertaken hy the Commandant and his officers in such a wav as to instil confidence throughout the Dominion, and' this, so far as the Commandant is concerned, is what may be expected from one of his name—l am re-al-ling. sir,’ the work of organisation of John Robert Godiev in connection with the settlement of Canterburv—thoroughness may be taken as the motto that guided both. No. sir. on the whole the Hon. Mr Millar and. his Government may rest assured their action has the support of tho Dominion.—l am, etc., OBSERVER. .. May 19th.