The Colony's Defences.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 221, 22 September 1904, Page 3

The Colony's Defences.

DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE. VOLUNTEERS AND CADETS OUR FIRST LINE OF DEFENCE. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 21. During the discussion this alternoon on Ministers' replies to questions Sir William Russell complain- • ed of the state of the colony's defences, and contended that we were: unfit for an emergency. The colony was spending close on £200,000 on defence this year, without Contingent defence, and he ventured to say we were absolutely unprepared. The colony should be urged to face the question at on.ee. Mr J a ines Allen said that the whole De/ente Department was in a state of chaos. Mr Seddon, in reply, stated that when he took ch a i'ge of the Defence Department it was nothing but a sink of iniquity and a sink for public money. Now it had been brought into something liko order, and it was under very firm control. As to the condition of the forces. Sir Seddon declared that the infantry to-day was better than it ever was'in the history of the colony, and the forts were never better manned than at present. He had really done his very best, and he declared that our defences were never in a better position and there was never a better feeling prevailing among the forces? but he always would resist the attempt by military experts to force upon the colony a partially paid force. He contended that the volunteers and cadets must be the backbone of our I forces.