THE PREMIER AT BLUFF.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13262, 13 November 1911, Page 3

THE PREMIER AT BLUFF.

[United Press Association.]

Invercargill, Nov 12

Sir Joseph Ward went to BlulE on Saturday and there received a cordial reception from tho Mayor and citizens. During the afternoon the ladies of Bluff gave a reception to Lady Ward. In the evening the Premier addressed about 700 people, and was very warmly received. He contradicted the statement that the Defence Department was compelling boys and cadets to go into camp with the men. This was worse than untruo because tho Opposition knew that under the territorial system cadets were not under tho jurisdiction of the Defence Department, but were controlled by the education authorities. Their own teachers were their officers. It had also been said that senior cadets (15 to 18) should not be allowed to go into camp with men. The proposal to send tho boys into camp was not contemplated by the Bill. These statements were a colossal attempt to snatch votes from mathers of boys by declaring against boys going into camp. The defence system had been supported by every member of the Opposition, and by the Trades and Labour Council, and it was tho law of the Dominion. Why had no member of the Opposition published a line in support of it!- It was a question which should be placed above party tactics, and wherever ho went lie would call attention to the men who were sheltering under cover of a prearranged silence. Referring to the Dreadnought gift the Premier spoko of Mr Alussey's assertions concerning the autocratic nature of his (siir Joseph Ward's) doings. There were 60 or 70 Opposition candidates saying at present that he ought to be .put out of oliice on account of his action regarding the Dreadnought. He had consulted Parliament and his colleagues, and tho presentation of the Dreadnought had been made subject to ratification by Parliament. The Opposition now stated that they objected to tho way in which tho proposal had been made, and that the honour and prostigo of the country would have been jeopardised if they had voted against it. Sir Joseph Ward declared that every member of Parliament could have- voted against the proposal without loss of prestige of the country, had he so desired, because ho had lei't tho way open. Ho reminded the workers that the Labour Government of Australia had established universal military training, and decided to build a fleet of its own. An expert had estimated that the capital cost of the navy would be 20 or 30 millions, and that internal defence would cost two millions a year. If the Labour Government of Australia had done that ought not Now Zealand to be willing to pay £400,000 a year for internal defence, and £150,000 a year for naval defence. The shadow of a great coloured nation was looming over our country, and if we were not reasonably equipped within our own borders, and had not the protection of the British Navy, we would find ourselves at the mercy of China. In Now Zealandl there was the purest race in the world. This was admitted and it was owing to the strict laws that were enforced in regard to the immigration of aliens. To estabilsh a Now Zealand navy was financially impracticable for a country of a million people. Every vessel in the British Navy was at the service of New Zealand in time of trouble, and wo were doing very little for its support. Everyone desired that peace should be perpetuated, and in another generation the spread of education might bring this about. The question of defence was above party, and he appealed to the people to give tho present defence scheme a fair trial. Only 30,000 men wore required under the system in oporation. None of them were- over 21 years of age except the members of the old volunteer companies, who had been transferred to the Territorials. They should give the system a year or two of trial and then the system could be reviewed and anomalies and incongruities removed. Political party passion should not be introduced. A vote of thanks and confidence was accorded to the Premier.