DOMINION DEFENCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14378, 23 November 1908, Page 5

DOMINION DEFENCE.

APPEAL TO PATRIOTISM. (Per United Phess Association.) • AUCKLAND, November 21. Lieutenant-colonel Wolfe, officer commanding the Auckland district, speaking at a reunion of members of the original Volunteer corps, referred to the, pre-emi-nence of the British navy, but said the Army had been reduced, until, in the opinion of the greatest experts, its weakness was a real danger. He paid a tribute to the deeds of veterans in New Zealand and to the younger men who fought in South Africa. Fathers, mothers, and sisters should make young men feel that it was their duty to learn 1 to defend their country. Personally he; had to obey his superiors, and he would do his best to iiuiko the present Volunteer system a success. There was no question that the material in New Zealand \ns the best flint could be obtained anywhere. All that was required was that men should have an opportunity of training in the field. He was confident that while Britain held the command of the sea an invasion of New Zealand was impossible, but should- the day come when Britain lost that command, then the Empire was finished. So long as we had an adequate defence force, properly equipped, we need iiot fear at'tack. jf this fair Dominion was worth keeping it was worth fighting for.