COMPULSORY TRAINING.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11630, 11 May 1912, Page 4

COMPULSORY TRAINING.

(Per Puess Association.) Auckland, May 10. Twelve anti-militarist youths who elected to go to Mount Edon for seven clays instead of paying the fines imposed upon them for failing to comply with the .provisions of the Compulsory Military Training Act have paid the penalty of imprisonment. At least two of them left- the institution, satisfied' of their folly, according to information obtained by. a reporter this morning, and they expressed themselves as having "had enough" of the movement to evade a, share in the defence of the country. While some of the number are inclined to assume the air of martyrs, others admit that they have been nnwiso. They state that while in goal they were kept apart from the other prisoners, being given work in different quarters. Their cells were also more isolated; but * otherwise they had to conform 'with strictness to prison regulations in the matter of wearing goal clothes, and having their finger prints and their photos taken, but.this they had expected before into'residence:",. The president of the Prisons Board (Sir Robert Stout) before l leaving Auckland to-dav, was'asked by a pressman whether the cases of any anti-militarist voutlts had come before the board di|ring its sittings here. Sir Robert replied in the negative, and explained, that .only prisoners undergoing reformative treatment were dealt with by the hoard. He did not hesitate to express the opinion that such youths were misguided, and that if they were not prepared to assist in defending the counti'5 T that conferred privileges on them they should gracefully retire, say, to Germany, Russia, or • some other country. Sir Robert made it quite clear, however, that he had every respect for the religious convictions of strict sects, but he thought provision should be made for these to serve in the nursing or ambulance divisions. He agreed that if the country was worth living in it was worth protecting. - OPPONENTS OF THE ACT. .., DEPUTATION TO THE MINISTER.

(Pee Pnuss Association.) Christcliurch, May 10. -The Hon. A. M. Myers (Minister of Defence) received r. deputation of-anti-Militarists, to-day. The deputation was introduced by Mr George Witty, M.P. Mr D. G. Sullivan, representing the Canterbury Trades and Labor Council, said that, in view of the answer given -by the Minister, the position to-day was awkward, but ;;s they rewarded tlic act as an iniquity they availed themselves of every reasonable and constitutional means of impressing their views on the .public. Re contended ;that''the people had had no opportuiu'fe;of expressing ..their opinion on the compulsory clauses. If they did there -would be'an overwhelming majority against them. The. Trades Council didnot discount the necessity for defence, or say that their families, their country, or their liberties were not worth defending,.-.but, taking .into consideration the temperament of the people, an infinitely more congenial .system'could be evolved if it were left to voluntary service. This was a matter Which transcended the technical opinion of an expert. They were convinced that the compulsory system was inimical to the best interest of their country, both from the view of defence and the morale social and physical welfare of the country.

I Mr G. R. "Whiting, who also represented the Trades Council, said he -wished to be "frank with the Minister. He assured him that there were going to be drastic steps taken by the wage-earners if the Government did not do something .to rope«l the cotfiouisory clauses. Mr "Whiting said that's-very large number of people of the country were opposed to the Act. They had no intention of having conscription any more than '.ho English people would have it. „ The working classes were not opposed to a voluntary defence force. They were not shirkers, but they would be orenarod to take trr* arms and defend 'heiVwivos and children if it were at anv Mine needed. Several other speakers were heard. The Minister said that he was pleased to meet the deputation, as he understood that Christchurch was the home of the anti-militarist movement. He took a different view of the higher obligations of citizenship. One speaker had said that the Act was contrary to the aspirit of the Great Master. He' respected that opinion, but personally he believed that the Act was in the best interests of the people, and as long as he was Minister of Defence he would see it, carried out.