TELEGRAPHIC

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12883, 17 June 1913, Page 5

TELEGRAPHIC

pSL/iiLENpO THE DEFENCE

DEPUTATION TO THE MINISTER

TIE MAKES HIS POSITION CLEAR,

(Per IVpss Association.} GHRISTCHURCH, June 16

The Hon. .James Allen, Minister -of Finance and Defence, returned to town this afternoon. Mr G. W. Russell, M.P-, introduced «■ deputation from the' National P&ace Council on tho subject of the; Defence Act. ' Among the.speakers was Mr C. R. N.:Mackie, se-cretary of the Peace ©ouncilj who snid that the Peac© Council stood for tho reb-sal of the Act: '■

The Minister, replying, said that the Act was a democratic one. The principles underlying it were democratic —=-. equality of sacrifice and equalJty of opportunity. '-'- If they could vindicate to him how to ■determine that a youth was conscientious in his objections to military training hej.would put it in the A'.'T to-morrow. The Minister* indicated ihat lie would. welcome any suggestions for..an, amendment : |of the Act;;-; and he \vpu!J; .inquire : in to, ,any specific ■ cases "J n;!a/administr^tionj but he made it r.i-sar that ho, wpuld ±iot repeal, the Act. ''"',•'" . -;" . ■

Mi-RusseirrefM'red to the'fact that Tfcys committed to military detention ware1 on arrival at Ijyttelfon handed: ovp-r tr- the military authorities by the police, and that th^y were conveyed to a bc-at by men \vitli bayonets drawn. He- put it to the Minister that this vrks a difcplhy of fordo that was absolutely rin rooessavy arid calculated to arouse feelings and passions better left smothered.

The. Minister said he did not want to arouso the feelings referred to, or to have a display of force made. - He WouM look into tho matter. . .

•Mr Russell asked if the mothers of the boys could riot be allowed to visit i-hc-T/i at Rina- Island.

M: Alen said he "■\r-ould nho inquire into this; matter. If mothers would only persuade their .boys to, koen the lav,-, ho would'lot them go t<>.the island every day. .