TIMARU AND WAR.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 1405, 26 October 1909, Page 6

TIMARU AND WAR.

BOROUGH COUNCILLORS IN AB&S.

PREPARING FOR THE FRAY

Tho smell of powder was strong in the nostrils of members of the Borough Council last night, and tho rattle of shot could almost bo heard on the roof of tho Council Chambers, when Councillor Porter, in a fiery and impassioned speech, dwelt upon tho necessity for compulsory military training, and other Councillors supported him. The flame of patriotism was fanned into being by a letter from the town clerk, Christchurch, who wrote in regard to compulsory"military training asking the Council if it would pass a resolution in similar terms to the one passed by the Christchurch City Council, which was as follows: "That this Council is of opinion that the time has arrved when universal military training should be adopted by the Dominion." It was proposed by Councillor Porter and seconded by Councillor Gilchrist "That the following resolution he forwarded to the Premier from the Timaru Borough Council:—That the Government be urged to pass, this session, a compulsory military training Bill for all males between the ages or 16 and 30 for military instruction, the time being opportune for such measure."

Councillor Porter said it was particularly fitting that such a motio.: should be passed by the Timaru Borough Council, seeing that the Mayo) of Timaru had been the one to initiate the battleship presentation fund. Dipping into history, Councillor Pnrte was proceeding to speak of England, when Councillor "Watson rose, an heatedly objected to the word England being used. Ho asked Councillor Porter to say Britain. It was Englanc this, that, and everything. " Damn England," he said. " A Councilloi like yon should know better." Councillor Porter said he must object to such language. Councillor Watson: "I humbly apologise."

Councillor Porter, proceeding said We all know that England Councillor Watson: "There you go again."

Councillor Porter acknowledged this as a slip, and throughout the remainder of liis speech referred to Britain. He contended that we were practically defenceless in the Dominion. If Great Britain should go to war with Germany she would have nothing to gain by it. Germany on the other hand wanted much and would get it if she could. But he hoped the time would never come when the two countries would go to war, and the best- way to avert war was to be prepared for it. He believed the time would come when the Yellow Peril would endeavour to overrun Europe, and with danger starini them in tho face England, Germany, America and France would, he honed. stand_ together like brothers. Until this time, however, these nations would always be at strife. Seeing that our Government had promised two millions of money for a first-class cruiser, and had agreed to subscribe £'150,000 a year to the Home Navy, we should take steps to back un that expenditure. And the best and cheapest way world be to adopt compulsory military training. Perhaps some employers would

object to giving their employees tlic necessary time off, but the Government should pay lor this, and iho employers should remember that tiny would l.m compensated for any time lo'-L through tho improvement in their young men — in physique, in intelligence, in activity, in morals and in manliness: in short, compulsory training would make them better all round. lie believed that every Councillor round the table had the loyal British spirit, and that therefore the motion would he passed. Councillor Beck strongly objected 1o any such proposal. "J-'ancy the idea." he said, "of a frroborn Briton being mado a slave by compulsory I raining." It struck liini to the heart. had enough "Unlit" in his composition to prompt him to respond to any call to arms that might- come. witliout being forced to do so. As for military training improving men. as Councillor Porter said, he said it had the very opposite effect, as shown by tho South African war. [Military trained men were very rarely good workmen. As a t'reeborn Briton he would never submit to compulsory military training. Councillor Sinclair also voiced a vigorous protest against- compulsory training. It was right enough, he said, for boys at school, but he objected to it after that. It would cause a great loss of time and it would mean going back 100 years, when men could be taken off the streets and pressed into service. The principle was wrong. He agreed with Councillor Bock that there was sufficient spirit in tho British to fight- for their country and for freedom without- being forced to do so. The expense of this militar" training was going to fall most heavily en the business men—i radosmoh who could not afford it. The Government should compensate the men if they were eoing to take them from their work. Councillor Sinclair, referring to the Crimean }' ar. said they had taken the best men in the British Isles for that, and allowed them, or a good manv of them, to die of starvation, as well as their stives and families. They should take a determined stand against anvthin" of ■i? So £ crc r ninc }" now, and Councillor I orter s motion should be withdrawn . Councillor Harney said he /,'so deS '. r ii , to .P rotest against it. w, IS uncalled ior, and iio was sorry tho ■Deputy-Mayor had permitted tho motion. to be discussed. It was only a waste. of time. If Councillor Porter had seen what ho (Councilor Harney) had seen in Austria-Hungary at the time of tho war between Austria and i* ranee, ho would not talk of compulsory military training. It meant that men were forced to light, and compelled to leave their wives and families to do as best thev could for themselves. All the talk hero was a lot of jingoism brought forward with the idea of gaining popularity. Scornfully, Councillor Harney added, that it was a fine thing to bring u>> children as food for powder and shot. Councillor Watson said Councillor Porter had made a mistake in tho ; <.es ho had named —10 to 30. It should bo lti to 3-5 or 40. Councillor Porter said ho v.oukl anieud the figures to 10 to 3b. Councillor Watson said he thought there should bo a certain amount of compulsory military training every year and ha would be -one of tho first -,-ho would bo willing to go in r it. The Government of New Zealand, and also the Homo Government would bo compelled to apply compulsion to it before long. Tho training which Germans went in for was tho proper sort or training. Councillor Scaley also favoured compulsory military training and s.\id lie was satisfied that the Government would pass the Bill this session no matter would tho Borough Council irug.ht do. Councillor Raymond spoke in favour of compulsory training. It would do :i world of good to young fellows and no one should begrudge the time given up for it. Ho hoped the Government would bring in a Bill this session. Tho Deputy-Mayor supported the motion and said ho thought that .'ome of the Councillors had taken a wrong view of tho matter. We did not want it for tho purpose of aggression, but for homo defence. Every man should bo able to defend his hearth and home, and without training with the rifle he could not do that. He predicted that before very long our young men would take to it like they now take to football. The motion, as amended, was then put and carried, Councillors Beck, Sinclair, and Harney opposing it. ECZEMA. .Nothing taxes a mail's xmtience, Nothing spoils a good disposition quicker, Than any irritation of the skin, Piles almost drive you mad, All day they make you njiserable, All night they keep you awake, Just the same with Eczema. Such miseries are daily decreasing, People aro learning they can bo cured, Learning the merit of Doan's Ointment, Plenty of proof that Doan's Ointment will cure Eczema, Piles, or any other skin trouble. Here's proof of this statement: — Mr John McJennett, Bootmaker, Eden Street, Oamnru, says: —"For tho past two years my brother has been tortured with Eczema. All that time bo was trying different remedies for this ailment, but none of them gavo him any relief, and tho irritation was intense. Ho procured a pot of Doan's Ointment and this preparation has given him splendid ease. In fact, he says that it stopped tho irritation as soon as it was applied, and a few applications completely cured him. Doan's Ointment is far ahead of everything he has previously used." Eight years later, Mr McJennett says:—"lt is now 8 years since Doan's Ointment cured my brother of Eczema, and ho has been perfectly free of this ailment ever since. His complete and lasting euro proves that- Doan's Ointment is a thorough cure for Eczema." Doan's Ointment is a specific for every irritation of the skin, Eczema, Piles, hives, sores, insect bites, chilblains, etc. It is perfectly safo and very effective. Doan's Ointment is sold by all chemists and storekeepers at 3s per not, or will be posted on receipt of price by Fnster-McC'lellan Co., 70 Pitt Street, Sydney. But, be sure you get DOAN'S.