NATIONAL DEFENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 70, 1 July 1910, Page 5

NATIONAL DEFENCE.

A LEAD FROM THE COLONIES. "KEENER VISION AND LIVELIER BLOOD." By Cable—Press Association—Copyright Received June 30, 9.40 .p.m. London, June 30. A large meeting of the National Service League was held in the Queen's Hall Lord Roberts, presiding. ' The chairman read a telegram from the Australian Leagues. Lord Curzon declared that Australia and New Zealand were two of the most democratic communities in the Empire. Both had passed Bills rendering militaryservice on the part of every able-bodied citizen obligatory. It was no shame that the Old Country should receive a lead in this matter from their progeny overseas. , He continued: "They may have keener vision and a livelier- current of blood running through their veins. We rendered them many services in the past, 'but if they succeed in teaching us the obligation of looking after our home defence they will return the debt with compound interest." APPRECIATION OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND. "BRITAIN MUST~BE PREPARED." Received June 30, 10.40 p.m. London, June 30. At the National Service League banquet at the Hotel Cecil, Lord Milner, in proposing the health of the guests, dwelt upon the appreciation all felt regarding the action of Australia and New Zealand in adopting the principles which the League existed to preach in Britain. If South Africa followed, three out of five of the self-governing dominions would have lined up behind the principle of universal citizen service. Sir George Reid, replying, said there was no political question in Australia upon military and naval matters. If the love of peace which burned in the hearts of Kings and Einperors could be translated into the naval and military estimates, all would be well, Ibut Britain must be .prepared to defend herself upon the instant., If the flag of England once went flawn upon the seas they! would never seedt again.