DEFENCE OF EMPIRE

Taranaki Daily News, 9 August 1930, Page 13

DEFENCE OF EMPIRE

' NEW ZEALAND’S PART. ;: FULFILMENT HELD IN DOUBT. A statement that New Zealand appeared to be shirking its Imperial responsibilities' was made by Mr. J. Begg duriiig ft discussion on the suspension of Compulsory military training held at the conference of the Navy League at Wellington. Mr. Begg said he considered that New Zealand’s minimum contribution should be £3,000,000 a year. Where they should economise was in their own luxuries. It was felt that the suspension of military training was purely an economic move. The present position yas shameful and dishonourable. ’■Mr. J. J. Clark said they. could pot claim to be part of the Empire unless they undertook to shoulder their responsibilities to the Empire. It was their duty to contribute both to the Navy and to land defence. .. Lieutenant-Commander Connors asked if New Zealand was. not definitely bound in case of necessity to provide an expeditionary force of about 80,000 men. He said he had that information from a high military officer. He did not see hdw that could be done if there was no system of compulsory military training. i Mr. J. J. Dougal (Christchurch) said Jie was not sure about compulsory military training in South Africa, but it did not exist in any other part of the Empire except New Zealand. He doubted if military training was one of the functions of the conference. The military spirit in New Zealand, he thought, was dormant at present. Mr. C. J. Treleaven (Christchurch) said he considered that when the next war came every man and woman of adult age should be enrolled for service. Jib did not agree with those youths who said they should not be dragged away from their homes to drill. Otherwise they might. at some time have to suffer ignominies death .or .be: ground Under-, the heel of a conqueror. He thought the matter was not one for the conference. ■