THE NATION'S NEED

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 59, 3 December 1920, Page 3

THE NATION'S NEED

DEFENCE V. MILITARISM

MR. J. P. FIRTH'S OPINION

The need for patriotism and the realiention that the country must be adequately defended, was stressed by Mr. J.'P. Firth, the retiring headmoster of "Wellington college, at a luncheon given yesterday in his honour by the New Zealand Club.

In the courso of his address, Mr. Firth eaid that ho desired to appeal to members of the club for their support in furthering tho alms and objects of tho National Defence League, which was endeavouring to rouse public opinion from the sea of public indifference, and to stem tlie wave of anti-militarism that was sweeping over tho country.

"We nro all anti-niilitariats to a certain extent," said Mr. Firth. "I am to •the marrow of my hones—we all are, for wp all hate war, hateful, devilish, filthy war. Hut there is a difference between defence and militarism. Militarism can bo shown by the acquittal by the German Government of tho young officer wiio cut down file civilian for not getting out of his way. . _'. . There is no danger of such militarism horc, and oil such talk is bogey. If in, the Great War the Navy had not been what it was, what could "havo thwarted Germany's aims? For years Lord Roberts prayed that tho nation would not forget its duty in defending its shores." .Mr. Firth referred to the statement by Kudyard Kipling,, that in the first two years of war it had teen necessary to "pile up heaps of tho Empire's dead behind which adequate preparation mijfht be made."

In support of his plea, Mr. Firth g.ave as an example, an interview which' he had had with the father of one of his pupils. On the day of the lad's admission to the school, the father had said that he would not allow him to perform military drill, on v the ground that it was against Christian teaching. On being questioned bv Mr. Firth, the parent had admitted that he was beinir protected by the Empire, but maintained that trust-should be put in Providence, and not in battle. "I asked him then— for I was getting angry"—said Mr. Firth, "what he would do if he discovered a man trying to murder his wife. "Would he shoot him, and break the Commandment, 'or would he allow the murderer to continue? The answer-was: 'I—l might shoot him—only in the foot.'" (Laughter ) • . iii conclusion, Mr. Firth referred to the continuing passages of General Sir John Mnnash's book on the Great War, In which the noted Australian general had expressed the opmion that there was no safety against war except in a defence so mighty that it would be foolishness on tho part of a foreign Power to'nttnck it. That was not militarism, but tne very essence of national defence and self-preservation, General Monnsh had also said: "We must have a qualified staff, adequate equipment, end trained soldiery." - ' The Speaker concluded with a strong appeal to the club to assist the National Defence League. '