WARDISM AND DEFENCE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2324, 4 December 1914, Page 13

WARDISM AND DEFENCE

THINGS TO EEMEMBER. The defence system—proof of authorship:— "How were they going to establish a system which would provide against invaders coming to New Zealand P What nonsense I All that New Zealand had to do was to see that she had an

effective system. It should be provided that young men could become volunteers at sixteen years of:cge instead gf twenty years, as at present."—Sir J. G. Ward at Feilding, October 20, 1908, during election campaign.

Corroborative evidence on the same point:— "They had to guard against any insidious' 6ystem or militarism in this country m the shape of compulsory training being driven down the throats of the people of the. Dominion. They

should he praotioal."—Sir J. G. Ward, same place, same date.

Final proof of authorship :— "It is truly cool, colossal impudence on the part of my opponents to attempt to deprive me of what is my just due in regard to universal training for the country. .' . . They try to discount what I was solely responsible for."—Sir J. Q. Ward, Winton, November 16, 1014. The defence system—proof that the

Motion by Mr. Massoy:—"That this House, being satisfied that the existing volunteer system has proved inadequate for the defence of the Dominion, is of opinion that it should be replaced by universal training for defence purposes." Thrown out by 44 to 29, tho Ward Party being tho 44.

The defence system—proof of continued devotion of the "Liberals" to the system:—

'The only thing to do was to go in for a citizens'- defence force and rob the Act of its compulsion."—Mr. Isitt, Ohristchuroh, May 29, 1913.

"He waß not in the House when they went in for,the Territorial system, or he would have fought against it tooth and nail."—Mr. Isitt, Invercargill, June 10, 1914. "Twice he had tried to have the compulsory service of young men endod at twenty-one years."—Mr. RuaseU, Dunedin, June, 1914. v

'My own opinion is that we will be glad to repeal or amend the Defence Act of 1910. In two or three years a great many people will bo very sorry that this Bill was ever passed."—Mr. 'Witty, inParliamont, 1910. "It was the Liberals who created and upheld- the defence system."—Opposition Press passim. Proof that tho only safe custodians of the system are the allj.es of .the Red Feds. :—

"12. The repeal of the present inade—oi* Defence Act, and the creation of

a citizen army on a .volunteer basis."— From the Fighting Platform of the Social Democwtio Party, 1914 ("Maoriland Worker," November 18, 1914, page 8.)

"The weakest spot ic the Ward Administration was the land question, and it could not be otherwise, for there are nearly as many land policies among the Opposition aa there are members."— "Grey River Argus."

No. insignificant portion of the- Reform policy, inaugurated and in prospect, consists of extensions of Liberal measures of proved value and success." —From the "Colonist," the Nelson Opposition orgnn.

"■What has the country gained by turning the Liborals out and putting Mr. Massey in?" Mr. G. W. Russell asked in a meeting at Riccarton, and. pausing for a reply, got the unexpected answer: "Showqd up the scabby. Liborals 1"