UNIVERSAL MILITARY TRAINING.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 531, 11 June 1909, Page 5

UNIVERSAL MILITARY TRAINING.

'•;;'.• '-:\ ADDRESS;:Bi : MR:-M'NAB. ;v-,- -^ ;.'■ tai TEiJsEirn.T-srictAL eonuEsroKDKiri.* . . 1.".' -.Hastings, June 9. , Mr. R..M'Nab,,ex-Minister for Defence, addressed; a crowded and .enthusiastic meeting at.the theatre,last'night on tho subject of compulsory. ;military' training. Tho Mayor' :(Mi\ : J ;■■ A : i! r Millar) occupied the ''chair.- 'Mr. M.'Nab: said he spoke from practical, experience ; as., a yoluhtoer having risen:from the ranks;to :be ; .a:.commanding officer,"besides which he was for two years Defoiice Minister.' After trying every; possible expedient to imprpvo.'tho present Alunteer,system,, he came to,tlib'.conclusion' : that the whole system of vblunteerinc; should', bo swept" away,- and' its place/should'be''-taken by an entirely, different one,"; :Mr.-:M;Nab quoted Lord Roberts on imperial,defence,; and-also referred to Colonel Daries, Inspector-Geiieral of. the New Zealand forces,i whb.fo'und that 'out' of a ' nominal strength of 13,049 men there was only an actual strength of 75p0.'' This was the fault of. the. present-system. :. "Mr. fM'Nab'con,cluded a lengthy and stirring address'by remarking: that he was convinced of the' n'eces^ ; sity for universal-military training.: "The speaker's remarks were frequently applauded; i Sir William Russell, in proposing a hearty vote of (thanksjoxpres'sed appreciation of Mr. M'Nab's services.;-.. Mr.'M'Nab had already addressed nineteen:-meetings, and still had.to. -address seven jmore; •. ■■ This motion was seconded : ;by .Lieutenant-Colonel ' Kettle,' and carried. ■■ Mr.-Gould, -local "seorotaTy'of the National' league, of New Zealand, moved a motion expressing the sympathy of the"meet-' ihg with the, object of. tho,. National League in the', matter of: compulsory military training. This was carried,.an amendment to the effect" that compulsion is repugnant and,in opposition 'to.; British-tradition: failing to find' a secorider.:v : ':': ;':;:' : /'.;.'...;,: .;:"'-;. '•;::;' .:.:' ' ... ..... ~ .'. ■.■ .'■'■>