“ IF WAR BROKE OUT.”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 504, 6 November 1909, Page 2

“ IF WAR BROKE OUT.”

At the banquet of the Native Rifle Association of New South Wales, held in Sydney last week, Mr Waddell, Slate Treasurer, referring to the representatives from New Zealand, stated that, notwithstanding that the Dominion did not form a part of the Commonwealth, the people belonged to the same great nation, and if ever New Zealand was in danger, Australia, if she were able, would go to her aid. (Applause). “These rifle institutions seem to me to be the very backbone of the defence of this country,” declared Mr Waddell. General Hoad, in toasting the New Zealand team, gave it as his opinion that there was no part of the empire which was receiving so much encouragement in rifle shooting as Australasia from the Governments. “We are, 1 ' said the General, “ learning how to put a rifle to our shoulder, and get the best use out of the business end of it. Australian people are alive to the urgent necessity of being able to say, in defence, not defiance: ‘ Hands off !’ and in their own minds, of saying: ‘Whatever comes we are going to keep up our own end, and excite the admiration of the people in the country from which we came.’ ” ( Applause.)