DEFENCE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1698, 14 March 1913, Page 6

DEFENCE.

SPEECH B,Y THE PREMIER. EXCHANGE OF FLAGS. BOYS GET A SQUARE DEAL. (By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.) Christchurch, March 13. At Ashburtou High-School this morning, the l'rime Minister (the Hon. W. I'. Massey) and the ilon. K. 11. iihodes attended "for live purpdse of taking part an tho presentation of u banner given to Hie scnool by the Ashburton Grammar School, Devonshire. This school, the chairman (Mr..J. Tucker) mentioned, was older than the local school, being nonestablished for five hundred and ninetynine years. Itecently tne New Zealand Ensign was sent Home to that school by tue Ashburton High School, and when iViiss Kershaw, miscress of the school, was homo in December last she received thi) return banner for conveyance to iN'ew Zealand.

'l'ho l'rime Minister, in handing the banner over to the school, said that Ashburton in Devon, and the men of Devon, had taken 110 small part in the building up of the Umpire. Uu the point of defence we in New Zealand were doing as much as we could possibly be expected to do in connection with iaiul defence, tut so far as naval defence was concerned enough, was not being done. He would admit that tho great naval battle of-the future would be louglit within a few hundred miles ol' the' British ccast, but that was 110 reason why there should not be a British Fleet in the. Pacific able to cope with any enemy which might cohio along. Oifr coasts were not sufficiently protected, our harbours were not sufficiently protected, and our trade rentes alto were not sufficiently protected. H.M.S. New Zealand would be here shortly, and was bound, to arouse great interest. Ho would call' tho attention of the proper authorities to tho p&siteon of naval defence. The Hon. James Allen in England would have conferences with the authorities oh this .subject, and see what would bo the best tiling to do.

At the conclusion of tome remarks by the headmaster, fhere came a surprise speech from one of the boys. This lad, lj. 1 "Wifcbetl, proceeded to the platform, and after ppopjsing a vote ot thanks to Mr. Massey, said he believed the Prime Minister'had aeon that tlioy wore, to got a holiday. (Loud laughter.) .That was what was meant by "a square dear.'' (Renewed laughter.) As a rule they took no interest in politic?, .hut dealing like this caused them to. take an interest jn the' Reform.party. (Further laughter.)

lit'. Massey rose to the broad hint, so well conveyed, and secured the permission of the chairman of the Board of Governors to declare a holiday. He also asked that arrangements should be mado for all the children to visit the neighbouring A; and l P. shotv. This was done, and the gathering concluded with an interchange of cheers.