UNIVERSAL MILITARY TRAINING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12238, 11 June 1909, Page 5

UNIVERSAL MILITARY TRAINING

LOB.D ROBERTS SAYS VOLUNTARY SYSTEM HAS UTTERLY FAILED.

Receiyod June 10, 10.20 p.m

;:■'.■ LONDON, June 10. Mr Fink moved a resolution in favour of universal training. .'; He.'said the Commonwealths latest offer was not in-

" tended to interfere with the provision of local defence,, which should' be subordinate to Imperial needs..- -He believed it was Australia's desire that the nation's manhood should be trained so •that if an emergency arose they could be organised into an efficient military unit. . . . . Mr-Mark Cohen (New Zealand) seconded the motion. . He said the colonies spent large sums on education, and! surely it was rightful to ask, for some rbturn of that expenditure for the pur- ] poses of defence. After the words ofj warning from Lord Roberts and the • statesmen who had spoken before that Conference it was useless to take, fur-i ther notice of those " armchair critics" who dreaded compulsion. He advised that Lord Roberts should be sent as a i. missionary of Empire. . ' .'■[■:■' I

Several speakers, objected to the resolution as outside~the object of the meet ing, and die resolution was withdrawn.

Mr Jamas O. Fairfax, Sydney, said if the forces overseas undertook an important share of Imperial defence, some steps would be required to give them a sharo in the guidance of those forces. Further questions might arise respecting a share in decisions upon' peace or war. Though he himself was not a militant federationist, the points he touched ought not to pass unheeded.

Lord Roberts said if'the resolution had been passed, he would-have supported ity because the voluntary system had utterly failed,, and.,modern, warfare, required good training. The Lord Mayor entertained the delegates and a hundred others at luncheon.