The Timaru Herald FRIDAY, JULY 16, 1909. HOME DEFENCE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13956, 16 July 1909, Page 4

The Timaru Herald FRIDAY, JULY 16, 1909. HOME DEFENCE.

A. brief telegram I'roiii Christehuivh yesterday stated that at a public; meeting of citizens culled by the Mayor, a motion iu favour of universal compulsory service was carried. The first speakers after the Mayor's opening were Bishop Julius and Bishop Grimes, who were followed by Mr J. J. Dougall, Mr O. T. J. Alpers, and Dr Erwin. The Bishops spoke in generalities of the propriety of being prepared for war as the one moans of ensuring peace. Mr Dougall touched on the special dangers of the present day. "The aim of Germany," he said, " was colonial expansion, and Now Zealand had to dread the power of Japan even more than the power of Germany, and if disaster happened to the British Navy, Japan would soon have a shot at Australia." Mr Alpers (a, Dane) said the "German Menace" had been drummed into him at his mother's knee. The German people " were clamouring for room, her industries for markets, and her soldiers for conquest. She was dreaming of dominions over the scas : and she would realise that dream unless Britain met her as a nation in arms." Dr Erwin said "It would n-,t be long before a clash occurred wit'' Britain, and if the German Navy prevailed nothing could save the natio.i, and part' of the colonies would go as a war indemnity." These are the arguments that need to bo insisted on, reiterated, and expanded; or else controverted. It is no use campaigning as Mr McNab did, in the interests of universal training, without urging adequate reasons for it. If New Zealanders were impressed with the belief that the reasons mentioned by the Christehurch speakers are true, aud if they could be led to exorcise their imaginations upon the probable consequences to them, there would be no need to discuss the expediency of universal training—or no use in doing so, for if the people could not sec the necessity for it in the face of the dangers pointed out, ' they will, not accept such training at the fiat of l'ar- ' liainent. A law of Parliament may deal with boys, doubtfully even this; but before the boys become men the hour of trial will strike, if it is to strike at all in this generation. The speakers we have quoted may bo entirely mistaken. It may be that Germany lias no such intentions, no such needs, as are more than hinted at; but those speakers are merely echoing the leaders of public opinion at Home witli a keener appreciation of what ah attempt to realise such intentions, to satisfy such needs, would mean to New Zealand. A conflict betwpen Britain and Germany must result in enormous loss to New Zealand, if Britain were victorious. If not, then, as Lord Beresford said, it is "Good-night" to niir Imperial connection; "Good-night,", nerhaps, and probably, to the New Zealand ensign, unless New Zealanders are prepared to keen it flying themselves. The Home Government wot Id

bo unable to stir a linger to help.ua, in their own predicament. At all tho meetings in favour., of homo defence, there is a, minority who do not think it necessary, and say so, by voiee or vote. Those who meet to pass affirmative resolutions are themselves but a, small minority.of the people; and however "representative" in a goneral sense may be the persons who compose the meetings they cannot ho'taken as representative of the people in regard to this new question. The few who are in earnest, who do • picture to themselves possible consequences of inaction and unproparodnoss, attend the meetings. But unless tho majority of tins people are in earnest nothing will bo done or can ho done.