Te Aroha AND Ohinemuri News THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 1909. DEFENCE OF NEW ZEALAND

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 4425, 17 June 1909, Page 2

Te Aroha AND Ohinemuri News THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 1909. DEFENCE OF NEW ZEALAND

There was a true ring about the spirited defence meeting at Te Aroha last Friday night. The keynote of the great gatherings of Press representatives in England was Defence. When Lord Rosebery struck that note in a speech characterised by fervour and patriotism, the German Press super ed at £im as a visionary ; but Sir Edward Grey said he endorsed every word that Lord Rosebery uttered. It is well that there should be no division, and no uncertainty in New Zealand, It should be felt that when Sir Joseph Ward appears at the Defence of the Empire Conference in England he is backed up by the whole of the Dominion. Thesa are not times to show tba white feather or to speak with bated breath- The hour is coming when ws must one and sll do and dare all that becomes men. Te Aroha will do her part. In the Auckland Press a few days ago appeared a cablegram from a prominent Socialiflt in Australia, who said that on bis airivel in Eogland he would discourage anyone fren). striking a blow in defence of his country. We also leara from the London Times that Socialism has percolated the Army and Navy to such an extent that if the truth were really known it would destroy people’s rest. Possibly the destroying of the gun sites on the British man-o-war lately was due to the evil influence of anarchists. It is serious to think of the bare possibility of anarchists entering our Navy as seamen, under false pretences of loyalty, and then in a critical hour of the nation’s history, when every ship would be wanted, destroying the gun sites and thus impairing the efficiency of the fleet. We must close our ranks and stand shoulder to shoulder. Defence, not defiance must be our motto. It is gratifying to see people rubbing their eyes and waking up. British newspapers * ore fairly unanimous on Britain’s peril. Even the Socialist newspaper, the Clarion, the most in ■ fluential and widely circulated paper of its class, is warning the people .of danger. It emphatically insists upon : it, after very careful consideration of the facte, that Germany* e preparation of a large and powerful Dreadnought fleet, is for a blow at England'# supremacy on the aeas. What is the most singular and significant in the Clarion’s warnings, is the fact that Socialists are, as a body, dead against war and almost even the preparation for adequate defence. It is well known that Mr Blatchford is the editor; because he is publicly notified as such, and he has had to bear much opposition and ill-will because of the stand he has taken. As a proof of his sincerity he is making sacrifices in defence of the flag by his fearless writings. Now, what does it ell mean ? Why has Aust'jalia followed u« in giving a

Dreadnought to Britain ? What, are we to understand by these burning voices in which there is scarcely a discordant note in the whole Orchestr a ? Why is it tha£ Lord Roberts, who is above all suspicion of self interest, is so persistent in warning Britain ? Are we living in a fool’s paradise ? There are breakers ahead. Britons are too confiding They accept Germany’s disclaimer of hostile intentions, but Germans do not abate one iota of the’r preparations for war. She has thirty thousand workers at Krupps preparing guns, airships, submarines, and other implements of destruction. Wherever Germany strikes, she strikes hard and suddenly, and our wisdom is to take no risks. Remember the fates of Denmark, Austria, and France.

Mr Asquith, Prime Minister of England, and M-* Balfour, leader of the Opposition, have vied with each other in trying to arouse the people to a sense of danger, and the need for defence. Let us in New Zealand get ready to defend our hearths and homes. We are utterly and absolutely aga:’nßt wars of aggression ; but only cowards will stand by and see their women and children and their country exposed to the invasion of a foreign foe. “ Britons ! Hold your own.” Let us play the man in the storm 'and stress of our Motherland’s ordeal. As our contribution to this great movement ltt us see to it that the following resolutions be reechoed throughout this district, and effectively carried out by us so far as is possible : 1. “That the State which fail to make adequate provision for_its own defence cannot survive/’

2. “ That the Dominion of New Zealand has not adequately provided for its own defence.” 3. “ That every citizen should rereceive Buch training as would cnabje him, in case of need, to bear arms in defence of his country.” 4. “ That the time has come when the people of the Dominion should insist upon provision being made by the Government for the compulsory military training of all male citizens of appropriate age and of sound physique.”