Compulsory Training.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 23, 11 August 1911, Page 11

Compulsory Training.

THE REAL PEOPLE WHO ARE . " DOING THINGS." The movement against the compulsory training clauses, of the Defence Act is groAving by leaps and bounds. Everywhere throughout . the Dominion the Avorkers are iioav realising the enormity of the iniquitous action of the Government in pandering to the military sycophants and foisting compulsory military training upon this fair land. And everyAvhere■ men and Avomen are uniting in. a solid protest against its retention and its operations in our midst. Only three Aveeks ago the National Peace and, Anti-Militarist. Council of Noav Zealand announced its programme and to-day the protest issued by that body has been signed by thousands of men and Avomen/ In Christchurch alone, Avhere them 6\ T einent started, over 2000 signatures have-been received, and they arc pouring in at the rate of over one hundred cA r ery day. . One of the projects of the Council is the formation of leagues in every town, and the Work is Avell in hand. A most enthusiastic meeting Avas held in Christchurch on Monday Aveek, when the Caledonian Hall was packed out, . over 100 standing. Mr. C. R. N/ Mackie occupied the chair, and members of the Council .'were present on the platform. The secretary briefly related the progress of the movement to, date, and explained the aims and objects of the Council. Already, he stated, leagues Avere at work* at.Auckland, Wellington, Waihi, and Runanga and feeling Avas running high, and no doubt Avas felt as to the ultimate success of the movement. Mr. D. W. Jones moved, and Mr. E. H. C. Ridder seconded, a resolution to the effect that those present should form themselves ■ into a Avorking leagiielf" for 'Christchurch. This-was carried unaiirimousiy, "and. on the motion of others, a constitution recommended by the Council Avas adopted, and tho,se present asked to join. The subscription av&s fixed at 2s Gd for men and Is for AA r omen. ,A large number of those present handed in their names, and officers and committee were. elected to carry cut the details of the work. .Arrangements are aa'oll in hand for a big public indignation meeting which Avill be held in the Choral Hall on Monday, August 14th. Representative men will' speak, and resolutions Will be moved condemning the action of the Government and demanding the repeal of the clauses. Great interest is being manifested, .and there is evidence that hundreds Avill be unable to obtain admission. -"/ ..'__/ During the next foAv Aveeks leagues Avill be established at Dunedin, Inyercargill, Winton, Gore, Milton, Lovell's Fiat, Oama.ni, Timaru, Ashburto-n, Rangiora, Nelson, and Blenheim in the South Island, and at Petoiie, Palme rston North, Feilding, Wanganui, Hastings, HaAvera, Stratford, New Plymouth, Taihape, Hamilton, Gisboirne, Napier, Dannevirke, Masterton and Eketahuna in the North Island; and the secretary to the Council, whose address is 102 Hereford Street, Christchurch, will be glad to hear from Avorkers in other centres, Avho are interested in ..the, fight against the fighters. On application, protest forms Avill be sent and arrangements made for forming leagues. ' " The Council is "preparing to issue a monthly paper, entitled the "AntiMilitarist," Avhich Avill be run Avholly in the interest of the movement,-and which Avill give a mass* of information bearing on the subject, and Avill contain the best arguments against militarism in general and compulsory training in particular. The first issue will appear on September Ist. In addition to the paper, a number of pamphlets are in preparation on different phases of the question, /and these will be scattered broadcast over the land. The office of the Council at 102 Hereford Street, Christchurch, has become the "hub" of the movement, and some thousands have called since the formation of the Council, and no matter Avhat their opinions on general subjects,, might be, they are united on this, one, and the Government of the day and the military authorities are doomed to find that they have no light task on their hands. The' democracy of the country Avill not submit to tyranny and bulldozing, nor will tltey be a party to any political jobbery.