NATIONAL DEFENCE LEAGUE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9127, 23 April 1908, Page 5

NATIONAL DEFENCE LEAGUE.

Per Press Association. r ■Wellington, April 2.2. At a banquet held to-night in connection with the conference of the National League, the Hon. R. McNab, acting Minister fo Defence, said it was not the Government's policy to have compulsory military training, but no administration should put any barrier in the way of an organisation which to persuade the people that some system of compulsory military training should be instituted. New Zealand was, perhaps, not so far: from the new theatres of war as people imagined, and this was an important matter, whether for external or internal defence. It was the first duty of the citizen ||to qualify himself, so that he would be ready when the Empire called. Colonel Robin, First Military Member of the Council of Defence, said he was glad to see that, while educating the people on defence matters, the League had said nothing derogatory of the present system. He agreed as to the necessity of bringing the youth of the country up to military efficiency, and to inculcate a spirit of patriotism.