UNIVERSAL TRAINING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3189, 14 May 1909, Page 5

UNIVERSAL TRAINING.

By Telegraph—Press Association. WANGANUI, May 13. Mf R. McNab has accepted an invitation of the local branch of the National Defence League to address a public meeting on the subject of universal training during the first week in June.

LIVELY MEETING AT WELLINGTON. By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, May .13. A pub]ic meeting was held in the concert chamber of the Town Hall tonight, in favour of compulsory military training, the Mayor (Dr Newman) presiding. Opposition to this movement had been manifested for some time by the Socialists and some others, and they had held preliminary meetings and arranged to oppose any resolution favouring compulsory training. To-night the hall was crowded, and it was soon evident that the opposition was present in force. Mr R. McNab, ex-Acting Minister of Defence, was the principal speaker, speaking with great difficulty and constant interruption. He managed to deliver an address in favour of compulsory military training, though his upeech was curtailed <>nd much of his argument was lost owing to uproar. It seemed impossible to maintain order, a\\ the speakers being subjected to continued heckling. Mr R. C.Kirk moved the following resolution:—"That (1) despite the enthusiasm and self sacrifice displayed by the officers and men of the Volunteer Force of New Zealand, and the large sums of public money annually devoted to the purpose, the inadequacy of our defence is a source of danger to ourselves and of weakness to the Empire, and that (2) there is no reasonable hope of any permanently satisfactory result under the existing conditions, and this meeting considers that a system of universal military training should be established forthwilh. in order to qualify our young men for the defence of New Zealand in time of need." Mr R. Hogg endeavoured to move a long amendment, but was unable to obtain a hearing, though he was able, between the interruptions,, to utter a few remarks. Eventually those on the platform commenced to sing the National Anthem. This was taken up by the majority of the audience, and the meeting closed without even a resolution being put.