The Chronicle PUBLISHED DAILY. LEVIN. FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1914. SOUND DEFENCE.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 29 May 1914, Page 2

The Chronicle PUBLISHED DAILY. LEVIN. FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1914. SOUND DEFENCE.

The Defence System of New Zealand is attacked on various grounds for divers reasons. Natlieless, it needs but small busli for its merits, for peaceful defence is a guarantee that peace will be preserved. This view of the case was well put by Mr Justice Edwards when speaking at the enter, tainment given to Sir lan Hamilton at New Plymouth lately. He remarked that "the attack on our system of military training still continues, though for some reason not yet disclosed it is being made in a disguised and more insidious form. We therefore commend to # these critics some remarks by His Honour Justice Edwards at the entertainment given to Sir lan Hamilton at New Plymouth. He said: "The movement which had been miscalled militarism was animated by a spirit which deserved every encouragement. Because some foolish people in the name of peace sought to decry tlie spirit which sought for peace, not for war, that was no rea-son for the spirit to die out. Tjie desire w>f the country was defeiice, not war>- Spewing to them as men of wai\ he said uWt Uu-re, were things of greater importance than that in the future /hoy 1 should draw the sword. / They should in these lax tinSes of parental control be taught that there are such things as/duty and discipline. They would then realise that there were/greater things than the football field—greater things, even, than the picture theatres. Even here in the Antipodes they were citizens of a great empire. It was of the utmost importance that the lads should be taught their duties of citizenship to the Mother Land, for at present they were too apt to forget all but the amenities and delights of New Zealand. It was not often that so distinguished a general as Sir lan Hamilton was sent out here. When the boys knew that England had sent of her best to watch them in their military manoeuvres they would realise that they were more than little New Zealanders —they were citizens of the great British Empire." LEYIN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Levin Horticultural Society has deserved well of Levin. And Levin has done well by the Levin Horticultural Society. Especially in the years agone. Latterly the society has had to contend with many rival attractions, and the contractions of hard times in addition. Consequently, the cash resources of the society are less than they should be. The townsfolk fairly might resolve this year to give to this disinterested society a useful patronage in the way of membership. The executive committee is to be appointed at this evening's meeting of the society, and there will be a canvass of the town and district arranged for next week. Then will be the time for practical support.