THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY MONDAY, APRIL 5, 1909. DOMINION DEFENCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3155, 5 April 1909, Page 4

THE Wairara pa Age MORNING DAILY MONDAY, APRIL 5, 1909. DOMINION DEFENCE.

Speaking at the Upper Hutt, on Friday night, the Premier, when dealing with the question of rendering the defence of the Dominion more adequate than it is, stated that "to ensure that they would have the assistance of large numbers of men who might be termed Reserves, the Government would make provision for rifle ranges from end to end of New Zealand at the cost of the country. They would see that every one of the rifle clubs secured a supply of free ammunition, to the extent of 250 rounds per man. If the Government did this, and if the members of private rifle clubs actively engaged in practice became good shots we ought to be able in New Zealand without creating a feeling of militarism to have a strong available land force which in time of stress and trouble would be called into active service so as to maintain our own position." We are pleased indeed to read the Premier's views upon the supremely important question of national defence. In deciding to encourage rifle shooting, and in expressing the intention uf instituting a system of universal training, Sir Joseph Ward is, practically, enunciating the policy of the National Defence League. We feel sure "that there is scarcely a soul in the Dominion who would care to see a spirit of militarism fostered, but there are thousands of earnest, thinking; men, who desire ti) see the foundation of a sound system ctf national defence laid, and this can be done at a trifling cost, and involving but little sacrifice on

the part of the people. We have on a number of occasions expressed our sympathy with the universal training proposal, and- we have previously pointed out that the Government did not give sufficient encouragement to rifle shooting. As a matter of fact the decided neglect of the Government to perform their duty in the respect mentioned is very considerably to their discredit. Years ago our patriotic administrator should have recognised that the very least they could do was to provide ordinary facilities for every able-bodied man who was anxio'"" .0 become a rifle

shot for him to do eo. But what is the position, viz., that rifle clubs are hedged in with a silly rule that has debarred many men from becoming members. The Government are certainly • only doing their duty by encouraging volunteering to a reasonable extent, bur to prevent a large number of men from enjoying the privileges attaching to the membership of a rifle club because they have not served for a certain period in a volunteer corps cannot be defended for a moment—it is manifestly absurd. Rifle shooting can, we believe, be developed into a most popular pastime, and we hope that such will be the position of affairs in the near future. But rifle shooting will not only become a popular pastime, but widespread efficiency amongst the men of New Zealand in t heuse of the rifle will mean that the Dominion possesses a good defence system—a national asset of incalculable value.