DOMINION DEFENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2355, 23 November 1908, Page 4

DOMINION DEFENCE.

A PATRIOTIC SPEECH [Pkess Association.]

AUCKLAND. Nov. 21

Lieut .-Colonel AYolfo. officer commanding the Auckland district, speaking at the reunion of members of the original volunteer corps, referred to the pre-eminence of the British navy, but said that the army had been reduced unail, in the opinion of exduced until, in the opinion of extliough the nation had the territorial forces in course of inauguration. He paid a tribute to the deeds of veterans in New Zealand, and younger men who had fought in South Africa. Fathers, mothers, and sistws should make young men feel that it was a duty to learn to defend their country Personally, he had to obey his superiors, and do his best to make the present, volunteer system a success. There was no question that the material in New Zealand was the filftstthat could be obtained anywhere. All that Was required was that the men should have an opportunity of training in the field. He was confident that" while . Britain held command of the sea tlie invasion of New Zealand was impossible, but should the day come when tlio lost-, the Empire was finished. <So long as they had an adequate defence force, proper!v equipped, they need not fear attack. If this fair Dominion was worth keeping it was worth fighting Ter. -