WOMAN MILITANT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 270, 11 May 1912, Page 5

WOMAN MILITANT

BAITING A MINISTER. TILE DEFENCE ACT. AN EXTRAORDINARY DEPUTATION. By Telegraph—Press Association. Chrisichiiroh, Last Night. A deputation of women waited on the Minister for Defence to-day re military training. It was very evident that some of those present took merely a theoretical interest in the question. On the other hand there were those who, as mothers of lads who had suffered imprisonment, felt a very poignant interest. The interview was a remarkable one. Some of the speakers stated their views with a volubility and extravagance of language which took away from the deputation's protest any dignity it might have had. The deputation was introduced by Mr. L. M. Isitt, M.P. Quite a number of women insisted on speaking. The Minister attempted to stem the torrent of speeches, and finally he rose and insisted on making his reply. He said that ho. fully recognised the -earnest spirit of the speakers. This was certainly the most frank deputation he had ever received. When the ladies took up any matter that appealed to tlivir conscience there was no one more ill earnest. He was not surprised at their earnestness, and neither was he. surprised at their extravagant language. The Minister was not allowed to proceed very far before a babel of dissent broke out, and remarks of a painfully free sort were addressed to him from a section of the deputation. Quite a number of ladies who were taking the affair quietly sat back and smiled. Finally Mr. Isitt rose and made a remonstrance, and Mr. Myers was allowed to proceed. Mr. Myers went on to say that, personally, having lost his father at an early age, he had been in a position to fully appreciate the care of a good mother. He recognised that women were more directly and indirectly interested than men in the Act. He intended to speak very frankly to them. They resented encroachments on their rights and privikges, but they must recognise their responsibilities. The system had been brought in to keep this free country freer, and to keep it as free as possible. An incredulous whistle came from the audience; it may have been from one of the ladies. Mr. Myers resumed (lint lie believed j that the d' fence system would strengthen parental control over the young. There was another outburst of dissent and some vigorous "noes." Mr. Myers replied that parental control was waning. There was nothing more calculated to strengthen it than the discipline boys would learn in the camps. This evoked a frantic outburst and cries of "conscript," etc. Undaunted, Mr. Myers started again. This was the age of great armaments. The more they were prepared for war the less likely they were to get it. "It means more war," the deputation contradicted. "A Prime Minister can betray his country," someone cried. Mr. Myers said that he intended to carry out his duty. He declined to consider the defence question from the point of political expediency. He would not do that with any question. As far as he was concerned, in spite of threats of wiping out the Liberal party and wiping out himself, the law would be carried out. The deputation could put people in power to represent it, and the law would be altered. There was another demonstration, though several of the leaders called for silence, and appreciated the Minister's statement of the case. Mr. Myers appealed to the deputation not to be obsessed with their own point ofi view. lie hoped that, they would never have a foreign foe here carrying out atrocities which he could not refer to in the presence of women. There was no such tiling as conscription. "It is conscription," came the reply. "You have made up your minds." said Mr. Myers. "The training is to h r, lp out men to repel r.n invasion of our hearths and homes," "Rot," was the elegant interpolation by a lady with a strong voice. Mr. Myers took exception to this interjection, and several members of the deputation indicated their displeasure. Mr. Mvera concluded the interview with a very definite statement. "So long as I am Defence Minister and a member of Parliament and consider that the Act is in the best interests of the community, I intend to support it." He regretted the display of feeling, and advised the ladies to look on all sides of the question. "We have been reading the military journals," one of them retorted.