COMPULSORY TRAINING.

Otago Witness, Issue 3030, 10 April 1912, Page 34

COMPULSORY TRAINING.

TIMARU, April 4. A number of young men appeared in court to-day on 'a charge of failing to take the oath under the Defence Act. One said he did not take an interest in the Territorials, and did not think ho would be needed, as there would bo no more wars. Another said he would not keep the oatli if lie took it, and therefore swearing would be perjury. He would not attend drills, as he did not believe in it. A third said he did not care about the country, and would sooner leave it than take the oath. The magistrate (Mr •) told him lie had bettor leave the country, which would be better without him if ho did not care for it. Another, who said that if lie took the oath ho would have to stop in the country, was told that that was not so. All the cases were adjourned for a week to give the defendants a chance to change their minds. GOVERNMENT WTLL ENFORCE THE ACT. AUCKLAND. April 5. Some important proposals in connection with the Territorial defence system were announced by the Minister of Defence (the Hon. A. M. Myers) when interviewed by a reporter. The new Government has determined to provide for the training of all men liable for service and to enforce tho provisions of the act without any change in the methods which have, been followed up to the present. The Minister stated that 22 Territorial camps had been held, and nearly 10,000 men had received training at them. The latest encampments were those at Greymouth and Rangiora, where the 13th North Canterbury and Westland Regiment was encamped in half battalions, with a total of 531 men, representing 82 per cent, of the enrolment strength of the battalion. With the exception of the. Taranaki Infantry Regiment, which would go into camp at the end of this month to suit the convenience of dairy farmers, all the artillery, infantry, and engineers •had completed thei'r training for the year. Tho camps of mounted regiments would be hold later in the year to suit the farming and dairying community, from which the mounted men wore chieflydrawn. Discussing tho operation of the system. Mr Myers said that every effort had boon made to suit the convenience of employers and employees, but -it had not been possible to satisfy- everybody. Ho had no hesitation in saying that there need bo no fear as to the success of the scheme. He was informed by General Godley that in every camp the greatest keenness, goodwill, and enthusiasm had prevailed among the men; and General Godley and the officers who had come from England with him had been most favourably impressed with the material with which they had to deal. Tho progress made in so short a time had exceeded their utmost expectations. " It has been stated that training is not to be universal," the Minister remarked. " It has now been decided to provide for the training of all men liable for service by drafting into rifle clubs those men who have not been enrolled in the Territorial Forces. While safeguarding the interests of the rifle clubs, it is intended, with their co-operation, to secure the training of every man registered under the act, except those physically unfit to carry arms." The attitude of the new Government in regard to those men who have refused to serve was explained by the Minister. " Tho Government has no intention of not enforcing the act." said Mr Myers, " although it regrets to be compelled to do so by means of imprisonment, but it is a mistake to suppose that youths have been sentenced to imprisonment for refusing to serve. That is not the ease. Tho penalty inflicted has been a fine, and the only reason for imprisonment in certain cases has been the contempt of court involved by the refusals to pay the fines. If a young man will not obey the law and fulfil his obligations as a citizen to j prepare himself for the defence of his country, lie- must be prepared to forfeit

his right to vote as an elector and any claim for Government employment;" " The Government is determined," continued Mr Myers, "to see that the law is vindicated bv all these who commit a breach of the Defence Act. It was not the intention of the Legislature that the penalty should involve imprisonment, and the Cabinet is row considering a remission of the sentence now being served bv the men who have refused to pay the fines inflicted for breaches of the act. The Government has no intention of making any departure from the method of enforcing the act that has been followed up to the present.'" TERRITORIAL CAMPS. GREYMOUTH, April 6. The Territorial camp was largely attended yesterday, sports being conducted in the afternoon. The behaviour of the men has been excellent, the drill giving good results. The camp breaks up tomorrow. CHRISTCHURCH, April 6. The First Regiment went into camp for instruction at Templeton on Thursday night, 467 men attending. The left half of the 13th Regiment will conclude a week's camp at Rangiora to-day, the right half camping at Greymouth. Eighteen per cent, of this regiment is under canvas. April 7. General Godley visited the camps at Rangiora, Marshland, and Templeton yesterday. Speaking to the men at Templeton he reminded them that they were not only the first infantry regiment of the Canterbury district, but of the Dominion, and therefore it behoved them to make themselves the first in reality as well as in name. From what he saw ho had no doubt they possessed the material to do it, as well as the goodwill. He hoped they all realised that by the work they were doing they were fitting themselves not only for the defence of their country, but also of the Empire in case of need. Neither he nor they wanted to fight, but it was their duty \o fit themselves to do so if necessary, and thus render the Dominion safe from foreign invasion. The Hon. G. W. Russell also addressed the men, and said he was convinced of the necessity for the universal training movement, and what he had seen of the camp confirmed his opinion that it was a grand thing for the country. He would be only too glad to do all in his power to persuade the Government within the limits of due economy to make the men as happy and comfortable in camp ae possible. The Hon. H. G. Ell said that in camp they would make friendships which would not be possible in civilian life, ami would develop such a spirit of camaraderie and esprit do corns as would remain a most pleasant memory to them all their lives. TIMARU. April 6. There are about 500 men in the infantry camp at Orari. They are having good weather for their exercises, and reports from the camp are satisfactory.