THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 1908. NATIONAL DEFENCE LEAGUE'S PROPAGANDA.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9071, 23 April 1908, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 1908. NATIONAL DEFENCE LEAGUE'S PROPAGANDA.

The National Defence League is an organisation which is destined, we think, to be the pioneer of a great and successful national movement. Ic aims at the universal military training of the youth of this country, and although ics efforts have, so far, r.ot met with the success desired or deserved by the League, or in any way comment surate with the necessities of the dominion, there caif be little dou,bt of its ultimate success. The advantages of the movement are so patent from every point of view that it is almost impossible to conceive of its failure. At its first annual conference, which opened in Wellington on Tuesday last, the League formulated a series of resolutions as a means to securing its end. "Defence, not defiance." being its objective, it desires the national adoption of the following safeguards:—Universal defensive training, either ashore or afloat, of all boys ami yoijng men until they reach tha age of twenty-one, with encouragement of continued training; preference in all | State employment and licensed occupations to British citizens who fulfil special training conditions; the restriction of all assisted immigration to British stock and to those who have fulfilled or agree to fulfil special training conditions; i'ide ranges to be provided in every township, and Morris tube ranges in every urban and suburban school district;

sufficient rifles to be kept in the country to arm every capable citi- i zen, and sufficient ammunition in suitable centres to make all riflemen effective for defence; and, finally, any other legitimate means for strengthening national defence. Here we have a programme which, if adopted, will make the best of the possibilities for defence purposes which the dominion possesses. What is wanted, and what the National Defence League aims at, is the establishment of a public opinion which will in time make it a matter of reproach for a urban capable of effectively wielding arms for defence purposes to be outside the circle of those who are specially trained for the defence of their country. There is a good deal of wisdom in the aphorism that "one volunteer is better than two pressed men;" and ' he who goes into training con amore i is entitled to rank among the patriots of his country. The inadequacy of our present defence system must be obvious to every thoughtful and observant man, and the aims of thfi League should receive the most generous support. Yet it is by no means satisfactory to note that its membership, after nearly a couple of years' exertions, represents under 7,000; and that of this number, less than 3,000 arc resident outside of the province of Auckland. The executive is, however, satisfied that the movement has now "caught on" and bids fair ere long to approximate its earnest desire. Appreciation is very general,.and that is something to the gcol; but what is essential is that something more practical than mere appreciation should take possession of the public mind in this matter. Appreciation pure and simple will not pay working expenses; and the League is sadly hampered for lack of funds to ctrry on its propaganda. Surely if the Young; Men's Christian Association can gather m many thousands of pounds in a few weeks to carry o" its aJmirable work r there ought to be no difficulty In raising a fund for the patriotic purpose of securing the hearths and homes of the people of the dominion. We commend this splendid movement to every member of the community,. a<ndi trust that the people of the Wairarapa will! throw in their lot with) it with encouraging heartiness.