THE DEFENCE ACT

Southland Times, Issue 17010, 6 April 1912, Page 6

THE DEFENCE ACT

JfEW MINISTER INTERVIEWED.

GOVERNMENT’S DETERMINATION,

.(Per United Press Association).

AUCKLAND, April 5.

Some important proposals in connection with the Territorial defence system were announced by the Minister of Defence (Hon. Mr Myers) when interviewed <by a reporter. The new Government -jhas, he says, determined to provide for v.the training of all men liable for seri vice and to enforce the provisions of the iAct without any change in the methods \.whlch have been followed up to the pre- . sent. The Minister stated that 22 terri- ■ .torlaJ camps have been held, and nearly 10 per cent, of the men have received .training at them. The latest encampments are those at Greymouth and Ranigiora, where the 13th North Canterbury and Westland Regiment Is encamped In iiialf battalions, with a total of 581 men, 'representing 82 per cent, of the enrollments strength of the battalion. "With (the exception of the Taranaki infantry ixeglment. which will go Into camp at .the end of this month to suit the convenience of dairy farmers, all the artil;2ery, infantry and engineers have completed their training for -the ;camps of mounted regiments Ayili, he iheld later In the year -to suit the farming and dairying community, from which mounted men are chiefly drawn. ■ Discussing the operation of the sys(tem, Mr Myers said that every effort had been made to suit the convenience of employers and employees ; but it had i Dot been possible to satisfy everybody. >£He had no hesitation in saying that i!there need he no fear as to the success of the scheme. Ha was informed by General Godley that in every camp the greatest keenness, goodwill and enthusiasm had prevailed among the men, and f General Godley and the officers who had jsome from England witli him had been 'most favourably Impressed with the material with which they had to deal. The 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. “The Government has no Intention of, not enforcing the Act,” said Mr Myers, “although it regrets to bo compelled to do so, by means of imprisonment ; but It 3s a mistake to suppose that youttis have been sentenced to imprisonment for refusing to serve. That Is not the case The penalty inflicted has been a fine, and the only reason for Imprisonment in certain cases has been the contempt of isourt Involved by the refusal to pay Jflnes. If a young man will not obey the daw and fulfil his obligation as a citizen jto prepare himself for the defence of ibis country, he must be prepared to forfeit his right to vote as an elector and *ny claim for Government employment. JThe Government is determined.” conjtinued Mr Myers, “to see that the law is vindicated by all those who commit a treach of the Defence Act. It was not She Intention of the Legislature that Ithe penalty should involve imprisonmnent. and Cabinet is now considering a (remission of the sentences now beTng ‘perved by men who have refused to pay "flnes Inflicted for breaches of the Act. The Government has no intention of making any departure from the method of enforcing the Act that lias been followed up to the present.”