SYMPATHY FOR DEFAULTING TERRITORIALS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 179, 16 December 1912, Page 4

SYMPATHY FOR DEFAULTING TERRITORIALS.

To the Editor. Sir,—Having seen the above report in the Daily Xcws. 1 wish to offer a few words of smpathy lo those who are persecuted through the Defence Act. I would have no fear to declare before any magist rate or judge that, in my opinion, those who have good business in hand which needs their attention, it is far away (he best tiling to attend to it, and let the parades alone, lhisiness is a necessity; parades are not. This compulsory training is the resuli of a frenzied conception. It is entirely due to man's folly and infidelity. I consider that a voluntary military training would be quite sullicicnt for anything that is likely lo happen. There is no enemy at the gate, nor any nation scheming for invasion. This de' fence scheme is a convenient subterfuge for Christianity; it is a counteracting ia« lluenee. Alas! for church parades ami military sermons. T would like to tol! all the advocates of defence that Go£ takes a hand in ruling the nations, and if it should suit His purpose, all the best conceived schemes may prove a abortive as the building of the Titanic. Fidelity to liod is the best security I am, etc., JAMES FORTUNE.