THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1908. THE PREMIER ON DEFENCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3028, 27 October 1908, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1908. THE PREMIER ON DEFENCE.

The persistent and praiseworthy manner in which those who realise the necessity for a proper system of defence in this Dominion have put forth their views has compelled the Premier to deal with a question which he appears to have avoided f n r about as long as he possibly could. Although the views expressed by Sir Joseph Ward are of a somewhat conflicting character, it is fairly plain that he does not favour anything in the nature of compulsory service, and it is, therefore, hopeless to expect that any really efficient system of defence will be established while Sir Joseph remains Premier, unless he changes his "opinions," which he certainly would if the people of the Dominion desired him to do so. The Premier says he is not in favour of an organised militia, but he realises the import-

ance of a good system of internal defence, and he is impressed with the necessity of improving the system to assure that every man capable of taking up arms shall be a good shot, and trained in the use of arms. In short, the Premier realises the necessity of all that the National Defence League advocates, with the exception of the compulsory element in the system, and without that element, as he knows full well, no really sound system of defence can be established. After having avoided the real issue involved in the question under notice the Premier proceeded to explain the difference between a "raid" and an "invasion," and discoursed generally upon the position of New Zealand in regard to attacks by hostile nations. In one breath the Premier stated that he was impressed with the necessity of improving the system to assure that every man capable of taking up arms should be a good shot and trained in the use of arms, and in the next that it would be next door to impossible for any nation t" land an army in New Zealand. If the latter contention is correct where is the necessity for universal training? Why is Sir Joseph impressed with the necessity "for every man to be a good shot" if there is no fear of invasion? As a matter of fact, at the present time, any first-class Power could easily land an army in New Zealand, if it were not for the strong and protecting arm of the Motherland. The position is that New Zealand is entirely dependent for defence upon Great Britain, and, if circumstances were to arise, which necessitated the withdrawal of I that defence—and none of us, not even Sir Joseph Ward, can foretell the future—the country is practically defenceless both as regards either a | raid or an invasion. The establishment ot universal training in defence | would prove beneficial to the youth of the country in various ways, would develop a spirit of patriotism, and laudable national aspirations, while a sound system of defence would be developed in the course of time.