HOME DEFENCE.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVI, Issue 43089, 7 May 1907, Page 4

HOME DEFENCE.

The) Australian Natives’ Association, a movement bom of paitriotiisjp and Whose growth ha|s been steady and strong, i® advocating, a number of important details of policy that represent in their aggregate a w)i&e and comprehensive national defemjoe ideal. Briefly these are as follows:—1. That the cadet system, both naval and military, be extended. '2. That our projected Australian navy be established under conditions ensuring the requisite supply of vsesels, material and men ais far as possible from within the Commonwealth. 3. That the rifle club movement 'be energetically developed. 4. That the citizen forces be fostered and administered in ai manner to increase their strength and efficiency without interfering with the other duties of citizenship. s'. That an efficient reserve of officers and men be provided and maintained in all branches of the service. These proposals Were discussed at a recent conference held biy the Association, and it is generally conceded! that a truly national chord, which is certain to make a very strong appeal to Australia’s dawning national sentiment, has been struck. It w!as suggested that the term “Australian NaVy” was unhappily chosen to apply to the naval force which Australia, is about, to procure, because it hinted a resolve to build iai navy that migjht ultimately compete with other nations. Another speaker, however, Scorfulfy disposed of this timid (dohtentiou. He a/dmitted that thle present ambition of Australians was merely to secure the nucleus of a navy but be declared that, no mistake had been made in speaking of an Australian Navy, for “if We are to be honest we ought to indicate whiaD is our ultimate aim.” His candid and

uncompromising utterance was greeted with cheers thiat will find an echo in the heart of every true Australian patriot. It is true loyalty which inspires Australia to provide for her own complete defence at her own expense and by her own exertions. The stronger Australia’s defences are the greater the security for New Zealand, .and the aspirations otf the former should therefore have the sympathy of every loyalist in the colony. . .