POLITICAL SPEECHES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1172, 6 July 1911, Page 6

POLITICAL SPEECHES.

4 SIR JAMES CARROLL AT OAMARU. (By Telccraph—Press Association.) Oamaru, July 5. Sir James Carroll visited Oamaru. today. He was accorded a ftivic reception, and was entertained at luncheon. Sir James Carroll and the Hon. A. T. Ngata addressed a largo meeting in tho Opera House to-night, and met with a good reception, 'lhe remarks of both were in reply to tho criticisms ;>f Mr. Massev. Tho addresses were similar to those "given in other places, and at. their conclusion a vote of thanks was passed to the speakers, and of confidence in tho Government. ' Dunedin, July 5. At the close of the meeting which was addressed by Sir James Carroll and tho Hon. A. T. Ngata last night, tho following resolution, proposed by Mr. llaniel, Mayor of Roslyu, and seconded by Mr. Anderson, farmer, of Cltitha, was carricd unanimously"That this meeting of Dunedin citizens thanks Sir James Carroll and the Hon. Mr. Ngata for their able and interesting address on the Native land question and other political subjects, and also desires to express its confidence in the Ministry of which they arc members/' ADDRESS BY ME. G. RUSSELL. (By Telccraph—Press Association.) Christchurch, July 5. Mr. G. W. EusselJ, M.P. for Avon, addressed his constituents to-niglit, dealing chiefly with the legislation of last session. Referring to tho defence question, 110 contended that the volunteer system had been an excellent one, but now a paid body of military men had been Imported in connection with the universal training scheme, and as a result the military spirit would increase. He urged that the Dominion's subsidy to the British Navy should be deducted from the cost of land defence, as the Navy was tiie first and most important line of defence. Land forces would be of no use 111 resisting naval attack by a foreign Power. lie referred to the absence of a safe port in the Dominion where warships could repair and re-fit, and advocated cither (Jueen Charlotte Sound or Akaroa being litled as a naval ba=c. The universal '.raining scheme had gone against his grain, and those responsible for it. might in years to come regret ils adoption. He que.-tioned the necessity for imposing lhe burden on the people involved in tho scheme. He said the sacrifice of the young men was too great, and'the whole sclieme had been boomed by men with no sons of their own. 'J'he men interested in keeping tho country safe from foreign aggrcssia'.i were propert v-owners, and these should pay the expense of training the land force. Ho contended that the universal training system was unworkable, and Parliament, might have to revert to lhe voluntary svstem. He was acco'rded n. vote of thanks and unabated confidence..