REMARKABLE SCENE INDEED.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1134, 23 May 1911, Page 4

REMARKABLE SCENE INDEED.

» THE SOCIALISTS AND COMPULSORY TRAINING. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.! Waihi, May 22. For tho past fortnight the question of compulsory military training has bw'i exorcising tho minds of the Socialist party, and its disloyal public utterances liavo caused a revulsion of feeling. Iho culminating point was readied yesterday afternoon on the Public Domain. A young mail named Potter, an ex-South African coutingenter, gave a stirring address in tho presence of about 1500 men and women in support of the dofenco scheme, and moved a resolution—"That, while deploring the horrors of war, wo maintain that every man has a risht to uphold the British flag." As an amendment, ihc leaders of tho Socialists, after giving utterances in (onus couched in disloyal language, and stigmatising Potter's address as a babel of jingoism, moved—"That this meeting of citizens enters its emphatic protest against compulsory military tramiug." Tho Socialists insisted oil a division to decide tho question, and a remarkable scene followed. Tho great crowd split up and in quick time took up respective positions. About 300 took up a position, in favour of the amendment, whilo tho largo majority took tip a position for tho British llag. Meanwliilo the 'more excited Socialists made an urgent appeal to tho concourse to rally round tho red flag. The resolution, however, was carried amidst enthusiastic cheering, and tho scene ended in the singing of tho National Antheiii, during which the Socialists interrupted with groans..

NOT FOSTERING MILITARISM. Invercargilf, May 22. Major-General Godley addressed a largo meeting of citizens on Wednesday night on defence matters. He declared tliat there no idea of fostsriiig a spirit of militarism. Tho scheme was one of voluutary universal training. It was tho people's scheme, and tho people would have to see it through. General Godley visited tho Western district, Bind', and Stowart Island. - r- - ' ' ■ —.