THE DOMINION ARMY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 54, 24 July 1914, Page 6

THE DOMINION ARMY.

AS AX JMPKKIAL UNIT. SPKICCII 15V DEFENCE .MINISTER. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, July 22. Delegates to the Dominion Conferon.c of the New Zealand Farmers' Union were entertained at luncheon to-day in the Chamber of Commerce. The Hon. James Allen, Minister of Defence, in replying to the toast of the "Army and Navy" (proposed hv Major 1). 11. Lusl;) said, that behind the Territorial movement was more than the question of local defence. There was the conception of a united empire, and a desire to be in readiness to send our men to,help the empire wherever the empire needed our assistance. He did not look upon the army as merely a defensive machine, for behind it was all the inculcating of discipline and the characteristics which went to make good citizens Under the scheme all ranks stood shoulder to shoulder on absolute equality, and it was onlv quality that got a man to ■ the top. We had learned that there were other things besides the development of the countrv-. There uas the development of the individuals themselves. Coming to the naval i|iiestion. Mr Allen said he did not agree with the contention that the farmer, should not interest in the i|ii"slion of defence, for of the £2:i.<i::il.(Hi!l or £24.<I(NI.(X)|| worth' of product, sent away from these shores. 70 or SO per ci ill came from the fanners themselves, and surely thev were concerned in the insurance or' the protection of their own interests. Since the Homo (Government had found it necessary to break the naval agreement of 1000, a change in tl;c naval'Jiolicv had been found to hi ccssan" anil the question had arisen as to' what was to fake the place of the naval subsidy The policy if training our ow- mm on Imperial -hip* and under 1 ; 111 officers, s0 that they would :iutoi;:ai:cally pass to (lie great Imncria' licet was, he contended, tl* most Man<- ■ manlike course that could have bin adopted. (A;iplausc).