NATIONAL DEFENCE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 92, 14 May 1909, Page 2

NATIONAL DEFENCE

A STORMY MEETINO. By Telegrapli.—Press Association. Wellington. Last Night. A public meeting was held in favor of compulsory military training to-night, the Mayor {Dr. Xewmnn) presiding. Opposition to this movement had been manifested for some time by socialists and some others, and they had held pre* liminary meetings and arranged to oppose any resolution favoring compulsory training. To-night the Town ITall was crowded, and it was soon evident that the opposition was present in force. Mr. R. MeNab, ex-Minister of Defence, was the principle speaker. With groat difficulty and constant interruption ho managed to deliver aff address in favor of compulsory military training, though his speech was curtailed and much of his argument lost owing to the uproar. It seemed impossible to maintain order, all the speakers being subjected t'o continued heckling. Mr. R. C. Kirk moved the following resolution:—"Recognising that (1) despite the enthusiasm and self-sacrifice displayed by the officers and men of the volunteer forces of New Zealand and the large sums of public money annually devoted to the purpose, the inadequacy of our defence is u source of danger to ourselves and of weakness to the Empire; and that (2) there being no reasonable hope of any permanently satisfactory result under existing conditions, this meeing considers that a system of universal military training should be established forthwith in order to qualify our young men for the defence of New Zealand in time of need."

Mr. R. Hogg endeavored to move a long amendment, but was unable to obtain a hearing, though he. was able between interruptions to uCTer a few remark*'. Eventually on the platform commenced *to sing the National Anthem. This was taken up by the. majority of audience, and the meeting closed without even the resolution being put.