THE TERRITORIALS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 221, 16 March 1912, Page 8

THE TERRITORIALS.

ALTERATION' IN LAW FORESHADOWED BY PREMIER. MILITARY DETENTION TO REPLACE IMPRISONMENT". By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Prime Minister made i± clear tonight, in an interview with a New Zealand Times' representative, that he is against imprisoning boys for breaches of the Defence Act. "I have given a great deal of consideration to this matter," said Sir Joseph Ward, "and I want to make it quite clear that I am against the imprisonment of boys for these offences. There is no such direct provision in our Defence Act, and I am of opinion that the law will require to be altered so as to make the Act quite clear that imprisonment cannot be ordered. There is no doubt that imprisonment now is quite legal and that it comes automatically under the usual law in relation to unpaid fines. I am of opinion that an alternative of a more' effective character, enable the system of universal training to be carried out, can be provided by the legislation removing from the present system what has given rise not unnaturally to strenuous opposition by many who are favorable to the defence of the country being carried out upon the basis of universal training. I cabled the Prime Minister of Australia ; (Hon. A. Fisher) concerning the matter a few days ago, and I fiild that imprisonment is not carried out in the Commonwealth, but that the law provides, for fines up to £6. The alternative where fines are not paid is that those not complying with the requirements of the j Defence Act are placed under military detention. Magistrates have 'no power < to commit to prison in any case. It seems that the system can be maintained in its integrity by removing what at present is creating very strong antagonism to-day in different parts of the Dominion." AN OBJECTOR IMPRISONED. Masterton, Last Night. A young man named Henry Williams was sent to gaol at .Wellington to-day for 48 hours for failing to pay a fine of 40s imposed upon him for refusing to take the oath of allegiance under the Defence Act.