UNIVERSAL MILITARY

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 527, 7 June 1909, Page 6

UNIVERSAL MILITARY

TRAINING.

DONT DANCE WITH MEN IN MUFTI.

A SPEECH AT A LADIES' MEETING. (BT T«.»<jrUPn— BPBOIIL COBttESrOKDEtIT.) Chrlstohurch, JunoiS. Speaking at a meeting of ladies, convened by Major Kichardson with tlio object of interesting them in.the volunteer movement, Colonel Cooper said that tho volunteer system had brokon down to a ver'y largo oxtent, inasmuch as they wore unable to fill the ranks in the corps. Thoy had, at the present time, only one corps in New Zealand, which was up to its full Btrongth, and that was D Battery, Wellington. Ho would suggest that the volunteer system be brought up to date by instituting a method on similar lines to balloting for a jury, the selected men tojoin the ranks of tho volunteers.

Even if our volunteers were as efficient as they might be, thoy were utterly inadequate to control the Canterbury district from Cape Campbell southward. To cover this large area,' the numbers available were about 1250 infantrymen, 570 mounted men. and 350 men'' of the ordnance battalion.' Tho defences of Lyttelton were paltry. As far as Westport was concerned, that district produced, perhaps, the finest coal in the world, and wliat were the defences of Westport? Only two corps, in round figures, 120 strong. .The volunteer system was, perhaps, the most desirable, but, in the event of its breakdown, ! universal training would have to be brought into operation. The ladies should realise what a power thoy might bo in the matter. For instance, every lady going into a ballroom could rofuße to dance with a man who did not wear the King?s uniform. If he (the speaker) wet© a woman he would soonor be'a "wallflower"

than dance with a man who had not tho interests'of the British-nation at heart. They should instil tho same sentiment into their laughters and their servants, and in loss than two years there would not be a mart in New Zealand who would not be; ashamed of himself if ho were not a volunteer. As a result of the meeting; Mrs. Batchelor,' wife, of Captain Batchelor, called a meeting of ladies who formed themselves into a committee, and guaranteed to obtain twenty recruits for tho .local corps.- "•"■-.• MR. M'NAB'S CRUSADE.. Our Fcilding correspondent writes:-*- ( 'Mr. E. M'Nab, who has .been lecturing through the, Dominion for some weeks on tho subject of universal military training, delivered aa address in Feilding on Friday. The Mayor (Mr. W. J. B. Trowiu) presided, and there was a packed hall to hear the speech. The High School Cadets were present in force. On tho platform woro the members of the Borough Council, tho Town Clerk, Mr. John Rankin, Mr. D. H. Gu&rie, M.P., Mr. Fred. Pirani, Mr. 8. J. Carman (exchairman Kiwitea County Ootmoil),' Mr. J. Morrison, and Mr. A. R. Mayo. The speaker had a splendid 'hearing, and at .the conclusion Mr. W. H. M'Lean sang tho patriotic song, "Zoalandia's Call," words by Mr. T. Watson,: music by Mr. H. Temple White, who accom-' panied on the piano. ■ The audience called for a repetition. '. '■

• Mr. A. H.'Atkrneon apologised for tihe absence of Mr. F. Y. Lebhbridco, owing to illness, who- was' to .have moved the resolution, and then moved: "That in the opinion of this meeting no. system of defence-ran bo effective whiah is not based, on .the principle of universal military training:" Mr. H. Tolky soconded the motion. Mr. J. Pulling endeavoured to propose an amendment to. the. effect that the mooting wouM\ have nothing to do with universal training.'or any other military system, but he failed to get a hearing, and no one.seconded his proposal. ■'■' V' . Tho motion was then carried unanimously.

FAVOURED BY PAHIATUA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: '^ (BT/TBIEOBArK—EBESS ASSOCIATION.) ' .' '',■"" Pahlatua. June 5. At a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce held last night it was resolved.that, notwithstanding the enthusiasm of tho volunteer's, the voluntary system does not provide adequate moans or defence, the chamber therefore asks the Government to introduce a system of universal training of young men. ; CORPS FOR WOMEN PROPOSED. . • ' ,'„■'■ -'" . Auckland,, Juno 5. _ A public meeting last night, after carrying a motion in favour of compulsory' training for men, passed a further ono, on tho motion of Mrs. Emily Nicol, namely: "That the Government bo asked to introduce a system of universal defensive training for young women, and that they bo attached tea bearer corps and taught .first aid." ELTHAM -FAVOURS IT. ; • Eltham, June 5. A meeting of the Eltham branch of tho National Defence League last night unanimously passed a motion favouring the intror duction of.the system of universal military training. . ' '. .

FEILDING IS WILLING'. : ■'■■.'.' Felldlng, Juno 5. At a meeting of the Feilding branch of the National Defence League; a motion asking the Government to introduce a system of universal military training for young men was passed. ' . •.. .' > ■ ■ • THE HASTINGS VIEW. \ • (bt TSLianAPH.—sractiL c.iiiKsroNDistiT.) Hastings, Juno 5. A meeting was held last night under tho auspices of tho National League of New Zealand. The Mayor (Mr. • Miller) presided, and addresses; wore given by tiolonel Goring, Major, Gascoyne, Mr.: lan Simson, and the Mayor. A motion was carried to l the effect: that the. member for tho district bo asked to suppovt any measure during the coming session which would tend to introduce universal military, training. Mr. W. G. Gould was appointed secretary to tho league, vice Mr. Lindsay, resigned. ;