DEFENCE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 7570, 26 May 1914, Page 3

DEFENCE.

U.VKMU OI'INJONS. At Sal ui-day’s Conference of the S.C. Uarmers’ Unions, (he chairman (.Mr .1. Talbot), referring to the (pms(ion of Defence, remarked that the Act sad now barn working for soma little linn-, and they wen- able to gang,; its iTfecls, and tin; dillicultics surrounding il. Tver since the Act hail been in force there had been considerable -1 rondo with objectors or shirkers, and it was difficult to know- wind to do with these. The < lovernment was a good leal exercised to know' what to do with their, and had appealed to local bodies to see if they could do anything. Il w.-is almost impossible for local bodies to do anything with thcni. It had struck him Jhat perhaps the best thing to do with the shirkers, would be to drop (hem out of consideration altogether. It they would not assume the duties of citizenship they dionld not be treated ns ordinary citizens, but. should be deprived of Ihu benefits of the Civil Service and the right to vote. They had been a bother all allong the line. They had had experience now of two big camps \aldhurst and Kowai. .’Faking so many men away at one time upset the business of the country considerably, tnd it was a very serious matter indeed. There was considerable trouble also in providing , for such a large number of men in cam|) at one lime. It was originally intended that tho camp should extend over some months, and lie thought this would be belter than withdrawing so many men Iroin industrial occupations at one time. They had not altered their minds in regard to the necessity for defence training. The chairman asked the meeting to express an opinion as to whether it would be possible to avoid calling out so many men to camp at one (intei; whether there was any way of dealing with the defaulters, and whether it was possible to minimise the inconvenience and possible danger to health through attending camp in such rough weather as prevailed at the recent camp at Kowai. They knew (hat in time of wait the weather conditions could not be considered, but in time of peace it would be well to consider the men’s health as far as possible. Mr tlarland said it caused them some inconvenience to train these young men, but what sort of inconvenience* would they be caused if they -were defenceless, and their country at lacked. With regard to a standing camp, he said it had been found necessary, especially for the training of the oilicers, to have a large number of men under thrm at one limm; I lie camps would not serve nearly such a good purpose if the inca were dribbling in a few at a time over a long period. And as regards the rough weal her, tho Union might recommend that the men he allowed to take extra clothing into camp to ehnnge in case of cold or rain. lie did not know what in say about the shirkers, but he thought it would lie well to prevent them from voting in anv shape or lorin. J heir number was comparatively small, public opinion being very much against ihem. U they wore not men enough to defend their country they should not be given Ihc rights of men in other respects. (Ileur, hear.)