THE HON. J. A. MILLAR.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 591, 20 August 1909, Page 5

THE HON. J. A. MILLAR.

THE'DEFENCE QUESTION AND THE! . ; ■ COMING SESSION. ' ■ .(By Telegraph—Press Association.) : , ■ .. Dunedin, August 19. • £he Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister for Railways; was entertained at a social to-night by (he combined committees which worked to secui'e his return , for Dunedin.West at the test general election. The attendance was large, and addresses of a semi-political character given by-Mr. Millar and Mr., Roderick M'Kenzie. were received with enthusiasm. Mr. Millar avoided controversial matters, his most important statement being a reference to Sir Joseph Ward's homecoming after the conference with the British naval and military authorities. ' .He said that no doubt some definite sch'emd for the defence of the Empire would bo dealt with during the coming Those who watched European affairs knew that the struggle of the future would not be a struggle for territory, but a struggle to. retain trade, and unless Britain was prepared to defend her trade sho was going to lose it. Not knowing Sir Josoph Ward's proposals, he could not inake a definite statement, but no doubt there would be a long debate in Parliament upon the question of defence. Without doubt the question of compulsory training would occupy Parliament, and if the country had no desire for a standing army the people must admit that it was the duty of every adult male to know something about how to handle a gun. ■•:'.■ .