DEFENCE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13892, 1 May 1909, Page 6

DEFENCE.

THE FEDERAL PROPOSALS. 3111 FISHER'S POLICY. Press Association-By Telegraph-Copyright PERTH, April 30. The Minister for Home Affairs, in defending Mr Fisher's naval defence proposals, advocated abandoning the naval subsidy and initiating their own defence on the ocean, .because a spirit of self-reliance cannot coexist with a spirit of dependence, because they had no control over the ships subsidised, and because, in the event of war, the Australian squadron would leave our seas unprotected. The subsidy would bleed Australia of millions, and leave her unprotected in the hour of danger. COMPULSORY TRAINING. THE WORKERS' VIEWS. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, April 30. Discussing compulsory military training at the Trades and Labour Council meeting, Sir McLaren, M.P., said the matter was one of great importance, and action should be taken by the combined Unions. He moved —"That the matter be referred back to the* Auckland Union with a view to having it brought before the annual conference." Mr Naughton agreed with a compulsory system of defence. The volunteer system was a fraud and humbug. . The volunteers were doing good work, but there was not enough of them. He advocated compulsory training, because nine-tenths of the people could not take up'a rifle and hit a haystack. . Mr Dowdall said that most of the volunteera joined to curry favour with their emplovers or for their private benefit. He was not a. poltroon or coward, hilt would not shed one droo of Wood for the Empire until the workers were placed on a proner basis and had to take over the machinery or production. . , The motion was earned.