COMPULSORY TRAINING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 249, 26 November 1909, Page 4

COMPULSORY TRAINING.

To tlin Editor.

Sir,—Allow me, as a constant reader of your valuable paper, to congratulate and thank you mi your attitude towards compulsory military training. Haviin; served for some years in the 'Viii-li \i'..iv mid seen active service ilium Ihe b-illleflelil. II liaye some practical knowledge and experience a-' to 1... i.idi.il eirecl- ~!' a militarv training *ii-.Mv ne rally. Trained to obey lii-lps iii the formation of character, and T venture to state that the line of action marked out by the Government is tlie (•direct one. We must be prepared to dofend our homes should an enemy invade this fair land, and not wait until "The surly drums beat terrible afar. With all tlio dreadful music of war." Peace at any price is the doctrine sonic believe in, hut what will sucli persons do if we have to face an enemy? Will llicy play hide-and-go-seek, or take tlieir stand with those who have been I mined, and perhaps' tread on the heels of those in the front rank, or, worse still, create confusion and panic by tlieir awkward antics? The writer has known some would-be heroes fall out when the charge was sounded, cither from fear or cowardice. Maybe those who aTe opposed to training would do likewise, or seek safety in flight, leading the trained to bear the brunt of the battle. The, vision of the poet still seems" far distant where he says:

"1 dip't into the future far as human cv<> could see; Kaw the visions of the world and the wonders that would be, When the war drum beats no longer and the battle ilag is furled, In the parliament of men, the. federation of the world." From the signs of the times it appears to many that the words of Joel are applicable: "Prepare for war; wake up the mighty men; let all the men of war draw near; let them come up; beat your ploughshares into s'words and your priming-hooks into spears; lot the weak .say, I am strong." "If you miscarry! you are lost so far, for there's no erring twice in love or war."—l am, etc., VETIOKAN. Sew Plymouth, 25th November, 190!).