MILITARY TRAINING.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 143586, 26 August 1911, Page 7

MILITARY TRAINING.

(To'the Editor.) Sir,—Yonr correspondent “Territorial” has replied to mine by a succession of stuffings and swallowings, lie writes “our papers are stuffed with nonsensical letters from individuals,’,’ who strain at gnats and swallow cnmeisA Just so, we have no case, let us abuse* tiie other side, Again "we are stuffed with tho information that we are the victims of a Conscript Bill. The Dominion should swallow conscription in the easy style of the needle-threaded camel.” Rather bad taste, trying to amend the phrase, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, ety.” 1 scarcely understand the next sentence, or see the necessity of introducing Prohibition, unless it is to show that tho Prohibition party also believe tho laws of the Groat Teacher require amending, ns he neglected to frame a law after this stylo, “Thou shall not drink any wino or strong drink, thou nor thy manservant, thy maidservant, nor the stranger that is within thy gate*; thou shalt not trade and traffic in them for the abuse is bad, therefore the use must he evil.” Pardon this digression but the introduction of Prohibition seems to justify - it. Your correspondent contends there is a very great difference between our defence scheme and conscription. AVheroiu lies the difference? Conscription is compulsory military service, so is the Government scheme. If I remember rightly, in the French system the conscripts are balloted for, and in no case is more than one member of the family doing service at the same time. Under our system all are compelled to register, and it is possible for three or four, probably the mainstay of tho family, being on duty at one time. Another paragraph is beyond my comprehension: “Let us refuse to be stranded on the rocks of sophistry.” Does he moan we are to shun the teachings of the wise, and bo controlled by the jingoistic boasting of fools? I say no: rather let us strive to maintain a lasting and universal peace, founded, not stranded, on the solid rock pf wisdom and justice. War, he says, is, like greatness, sometimes thrust upon us; but more often in English history war, like greatness, has been achieved. Some authority in tho past ha's stated: “To maintain peace, bo prepared for war,” and it seems the nations of tho world have been acting on that principle till tl)0 expense has become so greai. and is still increasing, and will increase, crushing the country and ruining the taxpayer, till the. ruling Powers, to justify the expense ami divert the minds of (he people, will decl.are war, thus proving to tho people that tho army and navy are not for ornament only, but for use. A Greater Teacher than he who originated the maxim “to maintain peace, prepare for war” taught Ufhey who live hv the sword, shall perish by the sword,” but His teachings are considered of small account now, as witness the principal church in (ftjs town ? ponsecrated and

dedicated to the service of the “Prince of Peace, is embellished with shields showing the triumphs of war.” Your correspondent finally stumbles on the horrible truth when he says:—“Compulsory training is a necessary evil.” Why not leave the word necessary out ? For no evil is necessary or wanted either. He also is of opinion that the money for the defence system is well spent. What, money well spent, in taking the youth of New Zealand, at tho most critical period of their lives, just as their minds are being formed, and teaching them war, and he himself acknowledges “war is a ghastly survival of man's barbarit(y.” Now, sir, it is impossible to forward that glorious time we all look forward to

“when men will learn war no more,” by teaching the unformed minds of our youth war, but we can and will hasten it by teaching them tho arts and sciences, the beauty of peace, the glory of labour, and above all, the lirotherhood of man. Thanking you for your valuable space./-I am, etc., . J. HALE.