ARMS AND THE MAN

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 285, 25 April 1911, Page 2

ARMS AND THE MAN

I CITIZENSHIP AND MILITARISM. SPEECH BY ACTING MINISTER FOR ' DEFENCE. Auckland, Saturday. Speaking at Hamilton yesterday, the Hon. G. Fowlds, Acting-Minister for De- < f?nce, said New Zealand had taken up a | movement that was unique as far as Anglo-Celtic organisation was concerned, and with the exception of Switzerland in modern times, at any rate, they had no instance of universal military training m military service. The eyes'of the world were watching the movement. lie was no jingoist or military enthusiast, but he thought it was desirable that even-able-bodied man should be lifted for the defence of his country. They had entered upon the scheme with great expectation, but it was going to cost a very large sum of money. However, if the revenue to meet the expenditure were [ equitably collected the people could afI ford to pay the sum required for the training of the young men. It was most desirable that we should be in a position to defend the country, if required. Perhaps the first consideration was the physical development and mental training of these young democratic communities, and this was the minimum result they had a right to expect from the movement. He felt sure it would result in the elevation of the national character, but it was essential that the whole community should take an inter-; est, especially mothers and sisters, otherwise they could not expect good results. If the taxpayers realised that for the money expended they were getting a higher moral standard they would regard the money required as simply so much expended in the cause' of education. No money was'found more readily than the amount required for that purpose. He hoped the time would never come when our young people would be compelled to fight, but they should be prepared for the emergency. THE WHITE RACE STANDARD. England and her dependencies did not realise what the horror of 'invasion was. In these southern lands we had raised the standard of a white Australia and a white New Zealand, while within a short distance of our shores were hundreds of millions of Asiatics. There was no use in taking up a position such as this unless the people of Australia and New Zealand were ready to give effect to it by force, if necessary. A. successful invasion was a terrible thing to contemplate, but we should be prepared for contingencies by bringing about stalwart physical development as the result of universal training. The matter should be looked upon in a spirit of citizenship, not a spirit of militarism. If that were done the New Zenlanders of the future would be worthv of even greater admiration than the Zenlanders of the past. He, urged the people, of the Dominion to take up the scheme hearilv from a physical, mental and moral point of view. (Applause).