NATIONAL DEFENCE LEAGUE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8524, 29 August 1907, Page 6

NATIONAL DEFENCE LEAGUE.

FREE PUBLIC MEETING. TOWN HALL TO-NIGHT. The movement inaugurated by the National Defence League to establish branches in the various towns throughout the colony for the purpose of arousing the people of New Zealand to a sense of their duty in regard to the protection and defence of their hearth and homes, deserves the warmest support and unqualified assent of the masses o£ New Zealand. Any movement that will give a strong, healthy vigorous manhood and womanhood, physically and morally, and at the same time educate the young generation of colonials to the highest ideals of patriotism—love of home, country and King —must receive the support of every right-thinking man and woman. What parent is there who would object to his sons undergoing a course of three years' training in drill, discipline, gymnasium and instruction in the use of the rifie at a period of life when they are forming associates for good or bad (between 17 and 21 years), inculcating principles of obedience, respect, punctual- 1 ity, cleanliness, as well as developing bodily improvement, and the training of the- eye and hand to enable them to be thoroughly capable of defending their country if need be. What state is there that wouM not foster and encourage this national movement, that will endow immense benefit to the youth of the :olony, and ! ensure as well a satisfactory degree of protection. The sooner the people seriously recognise that the defence of their country is just as important and .necessary for its safety and well-being as their civil training, insisted on and provided by the State, the better it will be for the nations. We would remind our readers of the free public meeting in the Town Hall to-night, at 8 o'clock, when Captain McNaught, general organiser of the National League, will give his address to thd people of Masterton on tne aims and objects of the National Defence Leag"e. A capital musical programme of instrumental and vocal items will be rendered at the conclusion of the address.