LABOUR AND DEFENCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 6 March 1913, Page 4

LABOUR AND DEFENCE.

There is a section of the Labour Party in New Zealand that vigorously opposes tlio defence scheme, .because they say it lias been inaugurated for the purpose of defending the properties of the capitalist. These narrowminded people forget that the worker has a hearth and a home; that lie enjoys the freedom which alone comes from the protection of the British Hag; and that the destruction of property by a foreign foe would indict incalculable injury upon the working classes. It is fortunate that the rational section of the Labourites .regard the defence scheme in quite a different light. Speaking on the occasion of the visit of Major-General Godley to Wanganui, Mr "W. A. Veitch, a Labour M.P., said:— "There were somo people who isaid that the principle of compulsory ■■ military training was objectionable to the people of New Zealand. He did not helieve that for a moment. He believed quite the opposite, for he wa, s of opinion that the people of this Dominion, with very few exceptions, were sensible enough to know that the principle upon which their system of defence was based was democratically sound and worthy of their fullest approval. After addressing a few appropriate remarks to the hoys Mr Veitch concluded by calling on them to give three cheers for the General, an invitation to which the lads responded lustily."