NATIONAL DEFENCE LEAGUE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8878, 1 August 1907, Page 3

NATIONAL DEFENCE LEAGUE.

At the Drill Hall, FoiltHug, last night Captain McNanght gave a lecture on the. objects of tho Longue. These, shortly stated, are : (] i Universal defensive training, either ashore or afloat, of all boys and young men until the ago of -L witli encouragement of continual training; (2) "all men engaged in every branch of the local maritime and waterside industries to he licensed ; preference in fill State employments and licensed occupations to British citizens who fulfil special training conditions; (3j all assisted immigration to ho confined to the British stock and to those who have fulfilled or agree to fulfil special training conditions; (-1) rifle ranges to bo provided in every township, and miniature ranges in evciy urban

and suburban school district; (5) sufficient rifles to he kept in the country to arm every capable citizen, and sufficient ammunition in suitable centres to make all riflemen effective for defence. Before the commencement of the address tiio Fcildiug Brass Baud played at the entrance to the hall. His Worship the Mayor presided. In the course of an interesting lecture Captain McKanght pointed out that fcif the protection nowafforded by the Imperial . navy should temporarily fail _ns this country would not only bo liable to invasion, but in its present almost defenceless condition would be liable to seizure by a foreign power, which in all probability would neither have the same regard to the rights of private property as now existing nor to the ilibcrty of the people, independent of the nailing feeling ot subjection that it would give rise to. Ho pointed out that not only was it a duty ’to the Empire to_ put this country in such a defensive state that in case of emergency wo could roly on ourselves. It was not proposed to fill the country with costly barracks, but by universal training familiarise every young man with the use of defensive weapons. It was not proposed to take young men awav from thoir homes as conscripts, but' enable them to acquire the necessary training in their spare time, while following their usual avocations. Those who thought tho ennutrv was worth defending could not doToss than approve tho principles of the League. He asked for the personal and linanical support of ail towards carrying out its objects, for once the people declared in favour of tho proposals they wore sure the Government would give practical effect to them. At the conclusion of the address it was resolved, on the motion of Mr T. Watson, seconded by Mr Barthorp, that in the interest of national safety a branch of tho League he formed at Fielding.

Mr Richards ami Mrs Dickson contributed patriotic s.ongs, ami Mrs Dickson ami Mr Massey sang a duct. The last item was encored. The Revs. Bndd and Stent and Mr Watson spoke in I'avonr of the objects of the League. A vote of thanks, on the motion of Mr Mclntyre, seconded by the Rev. Inncs-Jonos, was passed to Captain McNaught for ids address. Votes of thanks wore also passed to the Chairman, the singers, and the press. At a meeting of branch of the League, afterwards formed, the M'lvor was elected president ami the Rev Biidd, Rev. luucs-Jones, Rev. Stent, Captain Sorenson, Captain Barthorp, Major McLean, Messrs Fisher, Watson, W. !’■ Brauns oil, Loekhead, Stewart, and -anos wcio olecloil vice-presidents. . Mr S. Andrew was cicctct. scciclaA large number of leading men of the town consented to act on the committee.