"A FOOL'S PARADISE."

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 2993, 17 September 1908, Page 5

"A FOOL'S PARADISE."

MR M'NAB AND THE VOLUNTEERS. DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, September 16. Replying to a question to-day in the House of Representatives, the Hon. R. McNab said that his statement as reported in a Wellington paper in connection with the Von Tempsky memorial service that "we in New Zealand are living m a fool's paradise was correct." People weie said to live in a fool's parauise when they held and acted upon erroneous views on vital questions, the erroneous view in this case b?ing that held ny many to-day that as we were at peace with all the world there was no call for young men to join the volunteer force or sacrifice time in the service. Mr Allen said that he hoped Mr McNab's reply would be noted all over the Ddm'inion, and that everyone would pay attention to Mr McNab's definition of a fuel's paradise , He hoped that the Government would take steps to deal with the situation so described by the Minister of, Defence. Mr W. F. Massey cordially supported what Mr Allen had said. Volunteering had never been at so low an ebb. The fact was that volunteers were not encouraged as they should be. (Hear, hear). It was obvious we wanted something in lieu of or addition t:> the present system. He thought all youths under 21 should be compelled to go into training for two' or three weeks every year. The Government was shirking this question. The Hon. T. Duncan agreed with the last speaker. He was, not satisfied with the way in which the work of the Defence Department was being carried on. The Hon. R. McNab, replying to criticism, said that his reference to a fool's paradise had been misconstrued into a condemnation on his part of the volunteer system. That was not the case. He did not condemn it one iota. His sole object had been to induce young men to think of a question which was usually absent from their minds. The Premier said that the Government had done a great deal for the volunteers —a great deal more than they got credit for.