Defence League Conference

Waikato Argus, Volume XXIV, Issue 3751, 7 April 1908, Page 2

Defence League Conference

By Telegraph.—Press Association Wellington, Last Night.

The delegates representative of the National Defence League are to meet in Wellington this Easter, and in reference to this the Minister for Railways, the Hon. W. Hall-Jones received a deputation. Mr J. P. Firth, president of the branch of the league, said the object was to help the Government in the matter of defence, and, seeing the objects of the Easter gathering, it was thought the Government ought to allow the delegates free passes on the railways. The number of delegates would be about 20, and the steamship companies had granted considerable concessions. The Minister, in reply, said there were two Departments in the public service, the Post and Telegraph and Railways, which should be looked upon as commercial undertakings. They never, or seldom, heard of anyone trying to get free postage or free telegrams. If there was any country in the world where they needed to pay attention to the question of defence it was New Zealand, which was at such great distance from the heart of the Empire, and where, at any time, they might be thrown upon their own resources and have to rely upon their own people to hold the position until reinforcements arrived. He was entirely with them in the great and good work that they were doing, but as to the Railways Department, concessions were now granted to members of friendly societies and clergymen attending their annual conferences, and to do what the deputation asked would mean the framing and gazetting of a new regulation. The only alternative was to grant free passes, which, lie assured them, was a privilege that he jealously guarded. In this case the league was intimately associated with the Defence Department, and his suggestion was that if any concession was granted it should come as a charge on the Department with which the deputation was associated. Personally he did not feel inclined to comply with the request, but he would refer the matter to Cabinet.