DEFENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2350, 17 November 1908, Page 6

DEFENCE.

-"MR. MASSEY’S VIEWS.

In a northern speech the other d 13-, and' referring to defence matters, Mr. Massey said that volunteers wore not meeting with the encourageiment that they .deserved, but- what: could they expect- when they had at ho head of the Defence Department • a Minister who was one of the half dozen members who voted against any assistance being given to the Imperial Government at- the time of theBeer war'? The last report -of the Defence Council showed that defence m itt-ors had never been in such an unsatisfactory condition as at the present time. In the event of the Empire being involved we would be practically defenceless. He was satisfied that the volunteer system could be placed on a satisfactory footing, hut the Government would not face the question. The Ministers talked about it -in and out of the House, but- nothing was done. They did not meed to go an for conscription, but they should start with the boys by having a cadet corps at every school where it wa-s possible. Every youth should be taught drill and use of the “l-ifle (hear, hear), and where a volunteer corps did not exist for the purpose, other means should be provided by the State. (Applause.)