DEFENCE OF THE DOMINION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 264, 14 December 1909, Page 2

DEFENCE OF THE DOMINION

THE BILL BEFORE PARLIAMENT. ITS PROVISIONS EXPLAINED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, liist Mglit. In tile House of Kcpi'i'senta lives to night the Prime Minister moved the second reading of the Defence Kill, which proposed an expenditure of £35.2,300, inclusive of £202,000 now included in the estimates. The volunteer system had broken down. It lacked continuity; was disheartening to the ollicers, and the only remedy was to change the system. The Bill \va«s compulsory to a certan extent, and would create a force oi 180,000. "\n recognised the good work done by volunteers and their enthusiasm. Referring to the Imperial Military Coilfcrcnce, the Premier said an important point was made clear, namely, the l'ig'it of the colonies to do what was proper for their own defence without the interference of the .Mother Country, oj; it was recommended that the forces of the overseas dominions should be stmdardised in regard to alms, stores, etc., so as to provide for the creating of a homogeneous army in case o! nted. Nit only was its autonomy preserved, bui the Dominion had the disposition of the forces, and could not be called upon to send men abroad. It was considered necessary for the Dominion to have 30.000 highly-trained men to constitute an expeditionary force for service abroad, The Bill would provide for a general staff scheme, a council of defence, the reorganisation of headquarters, the creation of a territorial force; an alteration in organisation of the permanent force; the creation of a reserve; and the reorganisation of the volunteer force. A committee of arbitration would be set up to assess the assets and liabilities of the corps, with a view of taking them over oil the lines adopted in Britain, when the volunteer force there was reorganised. Provision would .be made for the payment of m s\ attending encampments at 3s per day and rations so as to recoup them for th? loss of time. Two years would probaDh' be required before the machinery in connection with the encampments would be in good running order. The Premier proceeded to go into minute details of the provisions of the Bill, its powers for erection of ammunition factories, penalties for the evasion of training, penalties to be imposed upon employers who prevented employees receiving training, the reserves, mobilisation, etc. While providing for defence in a proper way, the Bill would do nothing to create a spirit of militarism or jingoism, to which the country was opposed. Mr. Allen supported the second reading of the Bill, but regretted that provision was not made for enrolling i . :cts at an earlier age than 12. He *.. d not agree with the proposals .'a regard to the territorial force, which involved the carrying on of the militia princtydie alongside the volunteer system. ilr. Hogg said the Government was laboring under a misapprehension if it considered the country had called for the Bill, which would impose a huge expenditure on the dominion. The Bill

was repugnant to the country and indefensible. NATIONAL DEFENCE LEAGUE'S RESOLUTIONS. Aucklaud, Last Night. The General Council of the National Defence Jjcaguc met to-night and unanimously decided that no liquor uhouid be -provided in camp canteens under the universal training sections of the Defence Bill. It was also decided to urge upon the Government the desirability of including naval training in the provisions of the Bill, being assured that thousands of young men could be thus organised in the ports of the Do minion. RESPECTING CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS. ' Wellington, Mondai. A deputation of Quakers waited" on the Premier to-day with reference lo the conscientious and religious objections to the compulsory training clause in the Defence Bill. The deputation thanked Sir Josenh Ward for including the eonseieiice clause in the Bill and said the members were prepared to undertake civil dutjes so long as th->v had no connection with war. The Premier, in reply, said the defence system which New Zealand proposed was not one" of militarism, but a system of educating the people liow to educate themselves. People who had conscientious objections would have those objections respected. The Government was anxious to prevent any jingoistic spirit permeating the country, and io see we did not descend to the spirit of militarism noticeable in other countries.