COMPULSORY MILITARY TRAINING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14281, 1 August 1908, Page 10

COMPULSORY MILITARY TRAINING.

FARMERS' UNION'S VIEWS.

(Per United Press Association.)

, WELLINGTON, July 31. It is said by eome people, 'Give a man a g ll ! 1 iwid.tcach him to shoot and you are all right.'" The sentenco above quoted was made use of by Mr Birch, of Marton, when moving a motion to-day at the New *r!j 1^ rmers ' Union Conference, which anirmed— 'That this conference supports compulsory universal military training" Mr Birch combated the statement with which be opened- his address, and- contended that unless there was efficient training a force could bo of small value. Tho statement was largely founded upon tha good stand irmdo by the Boers in the last war but it should be remembered that they had had previous active servieo to mould them and their military knowledge was not sp imatod as some people would have us believe. Die motion, if given effect to, would result _in the improvement of trio gcnoral health and well-being of our pcople.-C'Hear, hear.") Mr Adam Bell (who is » major in the !\ew Zealand Defence Forces) said he was P eased to hear Mr Birch's remarks, emphasising, as they did, the fact that tho ability to wso a rifio was not an adequate means of defence. A battle was often won •below a shot was fired, and a good proof of that was afforded by the action of the Boer general who hemmed General Buller in on the Tugela. The speaker also Rented the present tendency to relv wholly upon the British navy, and to the tendency _of our present-day people all over tno Jimpiro to absorb themselves m sport. Mr D Arcy Ohaytor (who is a lieutenantcolonel in tiro Defence Forces) said his idea was that all young men from 17 to 21 years of age should bo compelled to spend a. fortnight of each year as they grew, up prachca ly in barracks. The discipline Urns obtained would be excellent, Mr Flanaghan (Auckland) Eimported tho motion, and eaid he regretted that many who were clamouring for the fullest rights of citizens were negligent of the duties and obligations that wore entailed by it Mr Matheson (Ekctahuna) said the motion was sweeping and drastic. It seemed to him that character was our best means of defence. .

. Mr.K A. M'Larou (Nelson) said this subject was one of genoral politics, and therefore beyond the platform laid down for the guidance of tho conference. It existed enly to watch the interests of farmers. As a free people we had no right to compel people to undertake drill of which they did not approve. J . Mr D. Jones (Wcccions) said he quite ns^ d V! h the motion - K was all very well for Mr Matheson to say that character was our best means of defence, but the unfortunate part of the position was that it the Unneso swooped down upon us they would not stop to examine our roferenccs.(Laughter.) ,J r Richards (Leven) combated Mr M Laren s assertion that this motion was beyond the scope of the conference. It seemed jo him a very necessary motion. Uur Volunteer strength would be quite lnsuifieiont m time of war, and when we called out our Militia we should not ha'vo to call upon an unorganised rabble. Mr M'Quoen said'that, on account of recent developments, wo had more need than ever to defend our country. It migltt be that for a while after hostilities commenced we would have to defend our country entirely by onr own resources, for thewhole fleet might be called away. Mr Evans (Kaiapoi) said it was tho duty of every man to defend the country that ho lived in. He was a man of neacc, but he always had the boxing gloves"on in readiness for epes of Any scheme that was not compulsory was of no use. A Dolegafc: What about tho Arbitration Act? Mr Evans: Tire Arbitration Act is only compulsory on one side. The mover of tho motion declined to accept Mr Matheson's suggested amendment, and the motion was passed in its originali form by a large majority. At a later stage of tho cojiicrenco it was further resolved-"That, in the opinion of this conference the time has arrived when greater cneouTagcment should be offered for the establishment of rifle clubs."