THE DEFENCE ACT

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10601, 6 April 1912, Page 5

THE DEFENCE ACT

j IMPORTANT PROPOSALS. | (By Telegraph—Press Association.) I AUCKLAND, Last Night. I Important proposals in connection I with the Blefemee scheme were announced; by the new Minister (Hon. A. Myers) yesterday. Mr Myers said every effort had "been mode to suit the Convenience of employers and employee©, but it was impossible to satisfy evferyone. It 'had oeen aid that tlite trainitag was not universal. It had now been decided to provide for the training of all men liable for service, by drafting into rifle clubs those men who have not been eairolled in the Territorial forces. ItAvas intended', with the co-operation of rifle clubs, to secure ttbe training of every man regi .tered under the Act, except those i physically unfit. The Governmeint had no intention of not enforcing the Act, alth'ongih it had regrets at being compelled to do so by mraans of invpris-ixip-Jent. It wa» a mistake to suppose that youths luul l>ecn imprisoned tfor refusing to serve. The penalty in(.flitted 'liad been a fine, and the only Ircrtcn for imprisonment, in certain cares, had teen ' ec'ii tempt of court, i whiirih was involved by . the refusals -to ! pay thei fine®. The Government was determined l to see the law vindicated. •It was not its intention that a> penality should involve imprisonment, and! j t'hie Oabinot was' considering the reI'lmissison cf (sentences now being serv- | Ifd. Tlie Government had no intention cf iraking amy departure fi J om tho method cf ci:forcinp; thte Act followed up to now.

/ FURTHER BREACHES. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) TIMARTJ, Last Niiglit. A number of young men appeared B>efore th& Court to-dnv, being sunii moiled fofr failing to take'the oath under tlie Defence Act-. One said 'that he did not take an interest in the Territorials. and 1 did. not think that they would be needed, as therte Would •be no more wars. Another said that ho would not keep the oath if he took't and therefore swearing would be perjury. He would uo't attend drills, ais he did not believe in thetai. A third said hie did not care about the country, and would sooner leave it than take tliei oath-. Magistrate Day told him tfaait he had better leave the country, as it would be better without him if he dad not care for it. Another, wiho said tta.t if he took the oath he would have it) stop in tlve ■country, was told that that was not so. All tlie cases were adjourned for a week, to give them a chance to change their minds..