OUTSPOKEN HIGH COMMISSIONER.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 19897, 15 September 1913, Page 8

OUTSPOKEN HIGH COMMISSIONER.

The fallowing letter, which we received by last week's mail, indicates the (Spirited $vnd effective manner in which New Zealand's representative in London is meeting the criticisms of the antimilitarists:—

gj r> —I observe that this country is still baing flooded with literature headed "Warnings to Emigrants," etc., and many newspapers with letters, regarding New Zealand's Defence scheme; also pathetic stories are being told respecting a few stormy petrels who have left the Dominion. It is as well to maice it quite clear that New Zealand has a Defence scheme which has met with the almost unanimous support of our Parliament, and has been" before the people at three elections; and a, cas© has recently com© under my notice of a man Avith a grownup family regarding the Defence .scheme •as an additional reason for his settling there. The intention of the Act is to train our young men so that they- may take a manly and effective part should ever an attack be made upon our country- It is absurd for us to rely upon, and improper that we should expect, Britain's furnishing us with the means of defence in a case of emergency. _We Tealise that if Britain- is involved in a war she will require all her forces for that war. We are also aware that we are- not far distant from Asia, . from which continent trouble may come. Our people live in a delightful country, and in no place on God's earth is there a better opening for industrial well-doing folk. That being the case, it is the intention of our people to retain, if possible, that country for those who realise the great privileges they enjoy in living there. Certain people have returned to the Old Land, and we New 7ealanders are heartily glad to be rid of them. They used the money of the colonists to heir them to travel to New Zealand, and they took very little with them; some of them did remarkably well during the time they lived in the Dominion, and 1 might say that not only did some create disturbances there in connection with our military training, but in a frfw instances tlvey quarrelled with Church, school a^d Councils. We wish it to be distinctly understood that we have no desire to receive anyone in New Zealand who has not the manliness to take his share in defending that oonn.trv and in protecting its women ar>d children should ever troublous times arise. Wo do not want thorn and we '■are -glad to be rid of those who have unfortunately need our money to go to our country and who have broken the obligations they took upon themselves ! when th'e<y received- that money. I would add that these people, before he.me assisted to * emigrate, were supplied Hth literature showing that they were |ifbject to be 'called npotr -to render military service. Tt should be mentioned thai those who undergo military training rer.Rive at l^n.st 28= per week durinrr t'n.i/l- trninrngr, ard nrr> provided with food and a^eommfKTatim. I notice my predecessor in office is reported to hnvr» finirl sinnc his return to New ZonJand that ho hnrl hoard of objections io universal training made there by n small section of people, but it was his opinion that if there were men who were not prepared to do their duty to i protect their mothers^ sisters, and wives from a foreign foe. he* would gladly contribute his "share in assisting them to T^nve tbo country. Morr> people are applying just now to ceo ±n New Zealand than we are prcpaml to take, fo that those who are spending their money in wnr-'ing {heir friends to stay away are renlly rendering us a most valuable service, bora us© Iher .n'-o prevontinn- tho undesirable from coiner, and leavi>\T room for people of grit nnd courage +n take the n variable spnr-p mi boarrl the vessels. —I nm. ",ir. vnur obedient r.pmnt, TWOS. VACTCF,XZTR. Ri%h C-omuii.'-s^-'or for New Zoalar-rl. VI Vic-tori'! St. London. S.W.. (sth August. 1913.