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The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1914 A NATIONAL RESERVE.

In such a crisis as tho present it is but natural that each individual of tho community should desire to do something which may bo of service to his country. It is not given to everyone to join an expeditionary force or face tho glory of the battlefield at the seat of war. These loyal subjects of Britain who remain behind in their own countries, and carry on tho world’s work calmly and with fortitude, are doing their duty just as well and nobly as their gallant brothers who have gone forth to battle. From day to day we read through the carefully censored cables the most harrowing tales of shocking outrage and brutality on the part of the trained soldiers of a. nation claiming to bo in tho forefront of modern culture and civilisation, and in face of this fearful evidence of murder and outrage can anyone at this time say it is not tho duty of every male able to bear arms to bo at least qualified to shoot with some accuracy and to he conversant with the simpler forms of drill. When Britain and the great countries with whom she is allied in tho present mighty struggle for freedom and justice against Germany’s aggressive ambition to dominate the whole of Europe, have wrested the sword from the Land of tho militant maniac who has let loose the presentworld’s scourge, there will he few cavillers, wo should think, at the system of training which will place the manhood of our nation in a position to defend its hearths and homes against such a ruthless enemy. Fortunately some time ago a good system was inaugurated in the Dominion, and it has done a great deal already in the short time it has been in .existence. Our Territorials are, as a whole, a fine body of young men. The Cadets also stand as creditably as any similar organisation in the world, and we are certain that the men and boys so trained are nothing the worse for the instruction they ' have received. At this present time j there is certainly a wide feeling that

the older men—those between say

twenty-live and 'fifty years oi age—would like to be able to do something practical which would be useful in the case of emergency. While very many of the maturer men of this district, or in fact of any such district; in New Zealand, are men who have almost certainly received some sort! of drill or military training, with, ini addition, a fair percentage’ of men ■who have actually seen warfare, there' jare others who are not familiar with the ns© of the rifle, and many more! again who are sadly out of practice. Tins feeling has been voiced in Stratford, and though there is reluctance on the part of many to commit themselves to a scheme which would probably mean imposing restrictions more or less harrassing to professional and business men, there is unanimity of opinion that Home Defence may be improved by the establishment of a Foot and Mounted Rifle Corps as a National Reserve. It is for this reason that the Mayor (Mr W. P. Kirkwood) has invited those interested to attend a public-meeting on Thursday evening so that the matter may be well discussed, and ft be ascertained so far as possible how many will enrol if rifles are provided. It is quite reasonable to suppose that the Minister for Defence (the Hon. James Allen) will find a means of supplying the necessary arms if lie is satisfied with the soundness of the proposal put forward. In Stratford we should have no difficulty in forming a really strong National Reserve Corps. There are many ox-soldiers in our midst, and one of the most active and most willing of them to assist is Mr J. W. McMillan, who, it will he news to at least some of our readers, went through the Boer War and holds a Captain’s Commission. We trust the Mayor’s meeting will be very well attended.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/STEP19140902.2.10

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 13, 2 September 1914, Page 4

Word count
Tapeke kupu
688

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1914 A NATIONAL RESERVE. Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 13, 2 September 1914, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1914 A NATIONAL RESERVE. Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 13, 2 September 1914, Page 4

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