DISTRICT NEWS

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10710, 14 September 1912, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS

[From Our Ovun Gorrespondent.l PONCAROA.

Tho fortnight!}- meeting of the- Mutual IraynjveiiiL'iit Society was held on Tuesday, the subject under discussion being "Tho Compulsory Military Training System of New Zealand." Mr Max Kayser road a very interesting paper showing the value of military train in# and tho necessity for it. Apart from tho physical good and military efficiency which would accrue to thorn. New Zealanders especially would benefit by a training in discipline. He referred to his period of service in the German Army as "the happiest, healthiest time of his life."

A spirited discussion followed. Exception was taken by some members to tho "compulsory" clauso in tho Act, without tho country's having been consulted. Mr W. T. Murray (chairman) said that there should bo more exemptions—that to some men such training, far from being "tho happiest, healthiest time of their lives," would savour more of penal servitude. However, for the average person it was splendid.

The ladies of the Society were unanimous in .thinking the Act an excellent one, and that th chancers of the "obiectors" would be be,routed by. a little, training. _ . Mr : Grubner "had nO , tides''; for war and thought that as wo had moved on somewhat since the Cain and Abel days there should be some' tribunal appointed to-settle disputes, between nations. He was unable to reply to questiott' as to whether human nature had changed, vitally since the days, of Cain and Abel;

Mr Martin held that New Zealand from it's insular position needed I 'a navy. In the event of Great Britain's being. defeated there was iiothing to prevent an attacking power from using "starving out" tactics. A trained army would thein be of' little use. Ho maintained that tho money devoted to the compulsory military training'- scheme would have been moro profitably invested in cruisers.

A resolution "that this .meeting approves of the Now Zealaud compulsory military training scheme" was carried bv a largo majority. A second motion "that in the opinion of this meeting the scheme as it at present stands is not the best that could have boon formulated" was car, ried by a small majority.McMahon's circus troupe gave a successful performance here last .light. Mr .Winchester (8.X.Z.) has.returned after a month's vacation* spent down south, and Mr Woodward (relieving manager) has gpno to Hoki'tika.

Miss Jackie Murray, of Waihoxi Valley, is at present on a visit to Mrs W. T. Murray, of Pongaroa Arrangements for the Spring Show (November) are well in hand, and ' atalogues will be issued shortly. Elocutionary and musical competition-.i ou a small scale are i<~. bo neid in the evening ot th<* Show Day.

mauriceville. j Tho Mauriceville. County Cricket Club held their annual meeting on Wednesday night, there being \ present a fair muster of members, consul- j ering tho boisterous night. , After tho j election of officers and other business was concluded, a discussion took place as to whether this Club should join the Bush or the Wairarapa Association. It was eventually decid- ] ed to wait and see what arrangements , the Wairarapa Cricket Association | would; make' at tho annual meeting, , :as to the early commencement oi matches, etc. Mr Toss will v stationmaster, has icceived notice of transfer to W ednu,ton, fro which place he leaves at tho end'of the month. . . Mr Knight, also of the Maintenance Department, will leave about the. came date for Porirua where he takes charge of length No. d. ( Influenza is still rife trict, quite a number of poison* ■ ing victims to this scourge.