NATIONAL DEFENCE LEAGUE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 104, 23 April 1908, Page 2

NATIONAL DEFENCE LEAGUE.

Per Press Association, I Wellington, Wednesday. This National Defence League confer- ' J L'la-e re-elected tne whole of the present I uflicers and general committee. It was | - resolved to hold the next conference at I Wellington. A motion to urge the Covernm'cnt to issue lilies to rifle club members on the same terms as to volunteers was lost. It was decided to urgo. I 1 the (Government to include rille shooting in the syllabus of manual and training classes in the public schools. Wellington, Last Night. This morning the conference of delegates representing tli e brandies which form the National Defence League of I New Zealand continued its sittings at Wellington, Captain .Murdoch presiding. 11 was moved by Air. Vindhiy—"Tlnit I with a view to making rifle shooting a national object, this conference urges the Uovermnent to issue rillcs to members »f rille clubs on the same terras ias volunteers." The mover spoke of the great need for better training ol the masses and the diilicitlty there was in becoming proficient in the use of the rifle. The present grant of 120 rounds of ammunition to cll'ective riflemen was absurdly insufficient; OUU rounds were necessary. Lieut-Colonel (Jorton spoke of the need for proper organisation of the people and the necessity for proper training. It was no use having rille clubs throughout New Zealand unless they were under an organisation, and at 'present they had none, if compulsory military training was insisted upon the result would be that there would be one huge rille club lor the whole

of the colony. Captain McAaught believed the new regulations about to be brought in would he of a nature that would he good for the country and the ratepayer, and yet be of benelit to the vitle clubs. The motion was lost. Mr. Wooller moved—"That the Government be asked to include rifle shooting ill the syllabus For flic manual training classes in the public schools." It was, he said, the first duty of every citizen to defend his hearth and home, and the way to give the capacity was by ensuring effective training lor all. Captain McUaught seconded the motion.' Ue was sorry to know that in some eases now the school tcachei. simply handed the hoys their rillcs ami ammunition and let them lire it away without instruction. Mr. Kin-ey, of ttainui, remarked that instruction 'in shooting was already included in the syllabus of the school in |,is district, ile would like to see the motion amended by the addition of the words: "That the Government be asked to provide training instruction for all schools." "Mr Kscott said th c syllabus was al-i-c-idy overloaded, and the League should be ciiarv of passing the motion. Many tochers objected to giving the military tuition ami manv could not give it )f

thi'V would. , , .. 'jir, motion was carried, and it warosclve.l that a deputation »t the dele.rates wait upon- the Premier and uige this mutter upon him.

tWJiOHES AT THE BANQUET. Wellington, Last Night. At a ban.ii.et Held to-»ight >» wnnection with the conference of the National League*, the Hon. R. M<*ab Acting-Minister of Defence, said it was not the Government's policy to nave compulsorv military trailing/ butt no administration should put any barrier in the way of an organsation which desired to persuade the people that some system of compulsory military training should lie instituted. New Zealand was, perhaps, not so far from the new theatres of war as some 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.

They who advocate military drill in elementary schools should lake note that the Secretary of State has discovered a new disease which he Iras called •'soldier's heart," says the London Daily Xews, of uth .March. This malady is directiv tract-able to the traditional drill, which, therefore, has been modified along the lines of the Danish system—a ivuiarkalilc justification of civil as against military conceptions of physical exercise.