UNIVERSAL MILITARY TRAINING.
MEETING IN WELLINGTON. By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, April 19. A preliminary meeting of citizens in favour of urging the Government to establish universal military training, was held in Wellington this evening. About sixty persons were present, Mr J. P. Luke M.P., presiding. Mr Luke said that something superior to the present system of defence was needed. Speaking as an employer, he thought employers would be prepared to sacrifice the time of their workmen necessary for the purposes of efficient training. They should make recommendations which would assist the Premier in bringing his defence scheme before Parliament. He hoped the meeting would be the birth of a broader, truer, quicker spirit in regard to defence. The Hon. R. A. Loughnan, M.LC, move:3 that the meeting resolve itself into a committee to co-operate with the National Defence League in holding a public meeting of citizens to urge the Government to institute a system of universal training. In the course of the discussion that followed, it was generally agreed that universal training is desirable. One speaker asked whether the idea was that employers should pay their men for the time spent in camp? If so that would involve hardship. The chairman thought that employers would be unable to stand such a strain. Employers would give the men the necessary time, but the general public should foot the bill. The Rev. Dr. Gibb said that his mind was not made up in legard to compulsion. Was New Zealand to have a system similar to that of Germany? Voices: No. Mr Shirtcliffe pointed out that the resolution aimed at compulsory training—not military service. He believed in a few weeks of annual training on German lines. The resolution was carried unanimously. It was also resolved that all present be asked- to contribute not more than 2s 6d towards expenses, a shilling of each 2s 6d being taken to be their subscription to the National Defence League.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAG19090420.2.19
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Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3168, 20 April 1909, Page 5
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323UNIVERSAL MILITARY TRAINING. Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3168, 20 April 1909, Page 5
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