The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, APRIL 1,1909. NATIONAL DEFENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2465, 1 April 1909, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, APRIL 1,1909. NATIONAL DEFENCE.

If the rumors from Auckland and Wellington are correct, Sir Joseph Ward evidently intends to submit to Parliament at its next session a proposal for the establishment of compulsory military training in New Zealand. In doing so, the Premier will be following one of his recognised customs of appropriating the policy of the Opposition. In the past Sir Joseph has steadily refused to see the''need for compulsory training, and has pooh-poohed any suggestions under that head. Mr. Massey, on the other hand, has just as definitely asserted the soundness of the principle, which lie made a plank in his platform at the last general elections. Now that the excitement over the Naval Estimates in Britain has awakened New Zealanders to the peril of their position, the Premier secs clearly enough that if he does not make a move shortly the opportunity to do so will bfe given to some other party. Therefore we confidently expect that Sir Joseph will bring up a compulsory scheme before next Parliament, and that it will bo sanctioned. Then when the defences of the Dominion are put on a proper footing we shall be gravely told by future politicians that this is one of the (achievements of the “great Liberal” Government from whence all blessings flow. However, the most gratifying, feature of-'the altered position is the fact that, although credit will in all probability he divertecTfrom the legitimate channel, the reform will be given effect to. It is significant, too, that the hand of the. Commonwealth Government has been forced in a similar maimer. The Federal Premier has promised immediately a plan for compulsory training in Australia, at the same time very greatly increasing the proposed expenditure upon an Australian navy. <