The Wanganui Chronicle. "Nulla Dies Sine Linea." SATURDAY. OCTOBER 16, 1909. FOR HOME DEFENCE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12346, 16 October 1909, Page 4

The Wanganui Chronicle. "Nulla Dies Sine Linea." SATURDAY. OCTOBER 16, 1909. FOR HOME DEFENCE.

We hope the people of Wanganui and district will support the efforts of the National Defence League to secure, through Parliament, the establishment of an efficient system of national defence. The whole question of defence is to come before Parliament during the present session, so that the time is opportune for bringing before the representatives through the formal medium of a popular petition the strongly expressed desire of the people of the Dominion for the institution of an efficient system, of universal military training. It might Be said that there is really no need for such a formal endorsement of popular opinion, the voice of the country having already been freely and emphatically expressed both on the platform and in the press. The patriotic campaign recently conducted .by Mr. McNab showed very clearly, by the splendid receptions which were everywhere accorded to him and by tlio practically unanimous approval which his audiences gave to the cause he advocated, that New Zeaalnd is very much alive to the importance of the question and that the colonists as a whole have

no desire to shirk their responsibilities. Indeed, it may be said that public opinion has never been more clearly and definitely expressed on any matter of national moment than it has on this vital subject of internal defence, and that in view of this fact no intelligent member of Parliament, should require the additional incentive of a formal petition. Still, in a matter of such great importance it is wise to leave nothing to chance. A thing that is worth doing is worth doing well, and certainly there never was a thing better worth doing than this—the making of adequate provision for the defence of our own hearths and homes. There is nothing jingoistic or bombastic about the movement. It is characterised by a complete absence of the spirit of rampant militarism. It is founded on a sane and reasonable desire to be prepared for an emergency. It is based on the equitable recognition of the responsibilities, as well as of the rights and privileges, of the individual and the community, and it takes no heed either of the alarmist or 'the shulker. Moreover, as the petition which has been sent to Wanganui for signature proclaims } it has been rendered imperative by the military and naval developments in modern times in both Europe and Asia. The petition is, in effect, an appeal to every member of Parliament to place country before party. Lord { Roberts, the greatest soldier of our time, has proclaimed again and again that only by the adoption of a system of universal and compulsory military training can the supremacy of the British Empire be effectively maintained. Lord Roberts has conducted a vigorous crusade throughout the Mother Country, and his speeches have been many and eloquent, but one extract from his utterances is sufficient to sum up the position both as it affects the British Isles and the Overseas Dominions :—" At a time when the air is heavy with schemes for domestic legislation and social reform it will be useful torealise that, however admirable and advantageous all such schemes may be, they, would, if carried out, collapse like houses builb of cards if, through want of adequate preparation, we were unable to guard our Dominions at home and beyond, the seas ;against injury and aggression. Adam- Smith, the great political economist,' says,; in his book 'The Wealth of Nations/ that 'Defence is of much more' importance than opulence,' and to neglect the consideration of national security Avhile aiming at increasingl the material' /Welfare of the people, would! ;b<j" tb behav© like a man Vho gives all his attention to adorning his si'cting-robm/ While he leaves the'roof'open to thi wind and rain. . ■'. We cannot afford to keep up a large professional' Army, ■as its great cost would cripple us financially, and in turn react* upon our power, to maintain a supremely^ powerful Navy. It is, therefore, essential for us fco ftave behind our small Regular. Army that power of expansion which can only be supplied by having all able-bodied men sufficiently trained to be a; source of strength in"time of emergency. Without such a source of strength we can never be absolutely secure at home, and wo most certainly can never hope to defend 'the outlying parts of the Empire." Clearly, such a system being essential for the preservation of the peace and security of the Motherland, it must v>e infinitely more so in the case of an isolated dependency such as" ours. To, qualify ourselves as defenders is a duty which we owe not only to the women and children of New Zealand, but to the millions at Home upon whose shoulders rests by far tha weightiest burden of imperial defence. In the words of ;.a well-known English publicist, "This is no question to be left to experts of any sort. It is not to be settled for us by soldiers alone^ or by seamen alone, or by professors of tactics. It isa mixed and complex problem of politics, history, constitutional law, military aiid naval experience. Like all our national probems, it has to bel settled ultimately by civilian statesmen. It is an urgent problem which ] concerns all politicians, indeed all citizens, of every class and of a]sy school." This is undoubtedly the case, and consequently it Ibehoves every citizen and settler who can do so to append his or her name to the petition which the National Defence League has placed in circulation.