MILITARY TRAINING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 308, 23 May 1911, Page 5

MILITARY TRAINING.

WATHI EXERCISED. THE -SOCIALISTS "OUTED." By Telegraph.—Press Association. Waihi, Monday. For the past fortnight the question of compulsory military training has been exercising the minds of the Socialist Party, and their disloyal public utterances have caused a revulsion of feeling. The culminating point was reached yesterday afternoon when, on the public domain, a young man named Potter, a member of one of the South African contingents, gave a stirring address, in the presence of about 1000 men and women, in support of the defence scheme and moved a resolution: "That while deploring the horrors of war. we maintain that everv man has a right to uphold the British flag."

As an amendment the leaders of the Socialists, after making speeches in disloyal language, and stigmatising Potter's address as the "babble of Jingoism," moved: "That this meeting of citizens enter their emphatic protest against compulsory military training."

Tlic Socialists insisted on a division to decide the (piestion. A remarkable scene followed. The great crowd split up. and in quick time the two sides took up their respective positions. About. ."00, took up a position in favor of the amendment, while the large majority took up a position for the British flsi if. 'Meanwhile the more excited Socialists made an urgent appeal to the eon-eour-e to rally round the red flag. The original resolution was carried amidst enthusiastic cheering and ended in the ringing of the National Anthem, during which the Socialists interrupted with groans.