COMPULSORY MILITARY TRAINING.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 10768, 17 May 1911, Page 2

COMPULSORY MILITARY TRAINING.

A SOCIALIST PROTEST. (Lyttelton Times Correspondent.) Auckland, May 15. The Miners' Union Hall, Waihi, was packed to the doors last night on the occasion of a meeting convened under the auspices of the Waihi Socialistic Party, to protest against . compulsory military training. The "red flag of Socialism" was a conspicuous feature, being pinned to the drop scene on the stage. Mr C. Smith (president of the Socialists' Party) occupied the chair. The meeting proved a lively one, especially towards tho end. Mr Semple (organiser of the Federation of Labor) in a warm, sensational speech, said he would go to gaol rather than permit his two sons to be torn, away from their mother for purposes of military training. In the event of war breaking out fie asserted the coalminers of the world would "down tools" and refuse to get coal for the murdering machines of warships. He addedthat he could also say the same in regard to the coalminers of the West Coast of New Zealand, and he would endeavor to foster this spirit whenever possible. He deprecated the waste of money in connection with the Coronation ceremony, and the Dreadnought gift. ■ . ,'■■■. An ex-soldier who had been through the Boer war opposed- the views expressed by Mr Semple, maintaining that it was necessary to be thoroughly equipped for war as a means of defence.. An ex-naval, man followed, and supported the previous speaker, asserting that preparedness was the best preventative against war. A resolution protesting against compulsory military training without first ascertaining the views of the people was put and carried, an amendment in favor of training as a means of defence being lost. _ Before any motion was put, however, a large number of people left the building. ' ■