DOMINION DEFENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 71, 10 August 1912, Page 5

DOMINION DEFENCE.

MR. T. MACKENZIE OX THE SVBJIvCT "A TOOL'S PARADISE." (By Telegraph—Own Correspondent.) Wellington, Lust Xi^lit. A telegram to the Post from Christchurch reads as follows: —ln the course of a speech at the Chamber of Commcr.ce welcome ycsteiday the new High Commissioner, in reply to a remark hy Mr. Marriner. in regard to the circulation of literature Riving a false impression of the effect of the military training scheme in Xew Zealand, said that literature had been sent to him describing conditions that did not exist. Some of the references quoted were the remarks of a gentleman who was once a member of the House of Representatives. Defence was a question upon which there must be no nonsense. Xew Zealand had to be peopled in order to make the country successful, commercially and industrially. It was necessary also that a sufficient number of men should be trained to defend this country if defence was needed-.-' New Zealaiiders were living •■largely in a Fool's Varadisc. They had enjoyed peace so long that they had forgotten that there was such a thing as war. In Australia, close, by. there was a vast unpopulated ami, which was a menace to the Empire. Australia, as well a* New Zealand, must be peopled to a greater extent than they were at present. He realised that some men. notably Quakers, were opposed to mi.iiary training on conscientious grounds, hut there were others who had not the same excuse. If these people really objected to military training, "for Ood's sake let them go out of the country." Ninety-nine out of every hundred persons realised that the compulsory scheme was in the right direction. It showed that there was a very healthy public opinion in the country. The question of defence must be above party politics, whatever Government was in office. It was a critical position. He had five none in New Zealand, and he would be glad to see them all training. He would willingly pay the taxes imposed for the scheme, and if necessary he would take a rifle on his shoulder and come out for the defence of the Dominion. God had given New Zealande.rs a lovely land, but they might know the reverse side of the picture of life if action was taken by an aggressive nation at a time when the Imperial Government was not able to help the colonial possessions. Mr. Hill Fisher said that it might be possible to request the influential British newspapers to refer statement's in regard to the Dominion's defence to the High Commissioner before publishing them.

Mr. -Mackenzie said that he thought some course ought to be. taken, and he would make a note of the suggestion.