Modified Conscription on for Home Defence. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2722, 16 May 1906, Page 17

Modified Conscription on for Home Defence. TO THE EDITOR.

Sib, — T have spent a very, pleasant six weeks in New Zealand, and have learnt a gcod deal in that time about the up-to-dato policy of -Mr Scddon and his colleague?. •- v j „ Before leaving may" l,' with all diffidence, make a suggestion, which, though probably far removed fro.ni practical .politics of . the day, mwt always, loom 6'n-the horizon, and will undoubtedly, some -day be forced willynilly into, public .notice. . Tho subject I allude to s is " Modified Conscription "for !Komo. -Defence. '' All soldiers,,* •' f rbto Lofd Roberts downwards." axfmit - tSa't for home defence. " be it in England, New Zealand, or elsewhere, the only safeguard against foreign invasion — should the fleej fail-f-is some fornv of universal services- All -soldiers; from Lord Rohctls clown wards f* England, a>re Btrivmg to- P^sjju/j?/? -^ act • i?vp n ,« . f°i3u' or .another into' the'raiilds^oi.an "ignorant- public, with, alas! aittle,. if, a,ny.- - success. ...Seeing what" New Zealand ."has.;abready'done,-. I^ ."belie.ve that 'iflghV-Vou'ld "only reaJ.He $he- importances" of hoihe' defence and the advantage to theyouth of the - community of a properlyarranged • form " of compulsory military education, she would not hesitate to adopt it. setting an example which the Mother Country would shortly be shamed -'-into following. Please remember that conscription in these days doe? not mean taking men away from their employment or \their homes. Compulsory Volunteer service, though a contradictory expression, explains what is required. The first duty of the early Roman was to prepare himself for the defence of his country Should a New Zealander be behind him in patriotism? Volunteers deserve all credit, and are ' exee'lent as far as they 50 : but, by lulling - the public .into a state of false security, they probably d.o more harm than good. What harm would a compulsory course of rifle drill ' do our boys at school? What harm would an afternoon's drill a week, a day's manoeuvre once a month, do our , young men? Surely none — rather, if properly carried out by inculcating obedience and discipline, much pood. Were fiermany or any other European Power able to establish a supremacy at sea. New Zealand coalfields and New Zealand wealth would prove a rich and «asy prey. That New Zealanders may make hay while the sun shines, and form while they may a compulsory colonial force for . home defence, is my sincere wish. — I am, "" etc.. C* Kitchener, Colonel. Little Roderick, Kurow, April 25.

The Welling-ton Post states rliat the Com. *• missioner of Police is awaiting the census returns to decide che number of additional^ - constables >to be placed in the principal centres of the colonjr. Thirty publicans in Carlisle and the * neighbourhood have been the victims of a practical joke. Each received a type-writ-ten letter, supposed to originate from a well-known Jiost. inviting them to his '• silver wedding." With three exceptions all put in an appearance, each carrying a . useful present, varying from a teapot to a " Bell" American organ — the latter as a gift to tho worthy host Bnd hostess's only, daughter. Naturally, there was much indignation when it became known that the affair was a gigantic hoax, and that the guests were three years too soon.