THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 1907. THE PUBLIC SAFETY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8510, 13 August 1907, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 1907. THE PUBLIC SAFETY.

In view of the approaching visit to Mapterton of Captain McNaught, who has as his object the establishing of a local branch of the National League of New Zealand, it is not out of place to traverse briefly the objects of the League and the reason why it has come into existence. It may be argued that the League is engaging in a national work which the Government should undertake. That is so, but, at the same time, it is a matter for congratulation that when the Government are not fully seized with the importance of rapidly developing a sound system of national defence, there are those in the country who are earnestly and vigorously striving to arouse their fellow-colon-ists to the gravity of the situation. It would be useless to cry out when the time for action was past. There is an old saying, "to be forewarned is to be forearmed," that is to say, sensible people profit by the warnings of danger ahead in protecting themselves against the perilous hour. On more than one occasion previously we have referred to the necessity of establishing a sound system of national defence. The Government are, no doubt, doing a certain amount, but they move slowly and somewhat cumbrously, Enl they are, possibly, waiting for an emphatic expression of feeling from the people as to the lines upon which to develop an adequate system of defence. One may not agree in detail with the constitu tion and rule 3 of the National League, but, nevertheless, the pro-

moters of the League are to be l heartily congratulated upon their action in the main. The League's address to the public is as foilows: — "The National League of New Zealand is being established to organise and educate public opinion throughout the entire colony on behalf of defensiva action. It is connected with no party. It appeals to every citizen who realises that peace is among the greatest of human blessings, and that security within our borders can only be ensured by our being able to defend ourselves from attack. New Zealand is not safe at the present time if by some unforseen circumstances the protection afforded to us by the Imperial Navy should temporarily fail us. Those J who are most loyal to the 'first line , of defence' will be the first to understand the urgency of having the 'second line' in order and the relief which would be afforded to the Imperial authorities if by a universal defensive training these islands were made in themselves impregnable. For it is undoubtedly the first duty of the Imperial Navy to protect the heart of the Empire; it is our colonial duty, as in great emergency it would be found to be o ! ir colonial business, to protect our own land. Are we able to do this? Every man in the colony who thinks about it knows that we are not. The difficulty is that people do not think about it, and that those who i ; > have not yet taken concerted stq>3 to secure the public safety. Everybody is interested in this. In Europe and Asia both, great militant States are steadily increasing their armaments, and we may be sure that they do not do this for amusement. They are arming for attack —on somebody. New Zealand must arm, not to attack anybody, but to defend herself; not by the conscription that fills a country with costly barracks, but by a universal defensive training which will familiarise every your.g man with the use of defensive weapons. If we do this, every man will ultimately be able, in need, to effectively defend his country and, his home, and those who are dearer to him than himself. And we must have Britishers on our coastal shipping, for only our own sailormen will die fighting for us when trouble comes. The foreigner won't. Way should he? Defensive training will take no young man from his home any more than cadet-training' takes boys from their homes. He will pursue his civil life without interruption. as at present, but will learn how to defend his country in spare hours and spare days as now he learns to play football. Is this too much to ask of New Zealanders-born? Is there any other practical way of making New Zealand safe? Is New Zealand worth it? That is a question which every man and woman can ask and answer for themselves. Should it be made safe from any possible attacV, so that it may ever remain British and not pass into the hands of some alien people, who may even now b3 taking the trouble to learn how to fight for it? Those who think that it needs defending, that it is worth defending, and that the proposals of the League aie on righteous and reasonable lines, will join the National League, and, if able, will help by voluntary donations to push the movement."