THE "DAILY MAIL" CUP.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1363, 14 February 1912, Page 6

THE "DAILY MAIL" CUP.

AND PLATITUDES.

POLITICIANS ON DEFENCE,

Tho Wellington Suburbs Defence Rifle Club held a social at the Tiffin Tea Rooms last night. Mr. E. Galliehan, president of tho club, presided, and, among those present, wero tho Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) and Lady Ward, Colonel Collins, Colonel Robin, Lieiit.-Colouel .\l'l.iitii.-h, -Major O'Sullivan, Captain Mabin, CapUiiu Martin, and Mr. J. P. Luke, the club's patron.

An important part of the evening's entertainment was the presentation of tho

"Daily Mail" cup?, and medals to tho eight "members of the team, who won it. The trophies are presented by Uio proprietors of the "Daily Mail" (London), and arc for competition by rifle clubs throughout the British Empire. They consist of a 200-gninea challenge cup, a 50-guinca cup to be won outright, and eight medals. The rules provide that the whole of the members of the club shall compete, and the eight highest shall count. The cups were first competed for in 190S, and won by the East London Rifle Club, Cape Colony.. In 1909. the Bathurst Civilians' Rifle Club (X.S.W.) won. and, in 1910, the Granville Technical College, N.S.W. Tn 1911, 557 clubs competed, and the Wellington Suburbs Defence Rifle Club won with S2-1 points. In presenting the trophies last evening, Sir Joseph Ward said that the club had had a test that was world-wide, aud had come out of that test with credit. The club had arranged an annual competition to dispose of the 50-guinca cup, and this year it had been won by Captain Ross,'an old and a good shot. The toast of the "Defence Forces of New Zealand" was proposed by Mr. J. Y. Luke, who referred in complimentary tcrms to the svstcm of defence established in the Dominion by the Government, of which Kir Joseph Ward was the head. Mr. Luke also referred to the excellent manner in which the scheme was being administered bv Gyneral Godley. He believed that present difficulties would bo smoothed away, and, as far as employers were concerned, they would do all in their power to make the, scheme fit in with their business, and allow members of companies to attend camps. In responding to the toast, Sir Joseph Ward stated that ho believed that he was voicing the general sentiment of the people when he said that there was no right-minded person but had a great abhorrence of war. There might bo people who were opposed to any system'of defence as unnecessary, aud, if their ideal could be consummated, it would ho a great thing for the. civilised world- However, if it was necessary to liave a system of defence, it was for us to see that the machinery was as perfect as we could make it.. The speaker then referred to the change that had come over the defence question on account of the great rivalry between the nations for naval supremacy. New Zealand, like every other British Dominion, had found it necessary to increase 'ts expenditure, and change its system, so that now everyone of suitable ago, and having the necessary physique, was expected to do his part in the defence of the country, unless ho had religbus scruples, which must, of course, be respected. With General Godley at the head of affairs, with tho assistance of bis staff and the goodwill of the rank aud file, the system should in time work smoothly and satisfactorily. It was not that wo wanted to get into a position to go to war, but to ensure that, if men were called on to defend their hearths and homes, they would not be at a disadvantage as regarded their militarv education.

During the evening, songs were contributed by Miss Rittenberg, LieutenantColonel M'lutosh, Mr. Hyanis, and Master Dcntice.