AT THE MERCY OF JAPAN.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3184, 8 May 1909, Page 4

AT THE MERCY OF JAPAN.

Mr. Jas. Allen, the well-known member of the..'Opposition, ; has been criticising Sir Joseph Ward's recent speech at Invercargill. The Opposition has always been favourable to the national defence movement, and Mr Allen, referring to the Premier's statement in regard to compulsory militaj& training, remarked to an interviewer that "on the question of defence, the country was ripe for a change, and had urged upon Parliament the necessity for this change, in no party spirit whatever. Sir Joseph Ward had the opportunity to make a change if he had the will, and it was to be hoped befom Parliament came to a conclusion that something would be done to put* our . defence in a more satisfactory positioii. The volunteer system stood condemned as a system. Those who had entered it had done their duty ,to. ; the country, but others had not, and the law must bring them into line. The matter was too periou,s to delay any longer. Our country ,jand the Pacific were absolutely at the mercy ?of Eastern nations, and though we might be friendly for the irne being, it touched his pride to think he had to vslj up3n the Japanese for safety."