LINES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 11509, 6 November 1912, Page 3

LINES.

To all those, who—by word or deed —• would retard that most essential measure, compulsory military training. You may rave of the evils and horrors of war, You may prate of the pleasures of peace, But while our conditions remain as they are, Do you fancy thift fighting will cease? While Empires their armies and navies maintain — While peace is protected by might— It surely behoves Great Britain to train Her sons to protect their birth-right. For blood-shed and battle wo care not a rap, The glories of warfare we scorn. But no alien power—be they Germans or Jap—• j Must rule where a Briton is born. There is more than one Power would rejoice to behold The flag of old England brought low; The cubs of the Lion must watch, would they hold— Friendly Power is too oft secret foe. With onvy they eye our colonies vast, Our commerce and wealth they desire, If the chaneo should occur, the die will bo cast, With sword they'll assail us, and fire. And ye, who would hinder, refusing to train, And ye, who would hinder, by speech. If coward and traitor, your hearts bear the stain; The patriot's soul's out of reach. For 'tis but a traitor, who would not defend. From invasion the land of his birth; Would you welcome a foe as you'd welcome a friend? Would you yield up your home and your hearth? Such traitors I'd banish from out every land Where ere Hies the flag of the free. Or give them the choice of remaining, and brand Each brow with a capital T. —J.S., Masterton.