DEFENCE -OF NEW ZEALAND

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2467, 3 April 1909, Page 5

DEFENCE -OF NEW ZEALAND

A NATIONAL SYSTEM. STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER. * (Special to “Times.”) WELLINGTON, April 2. Speaking at Upper Hutt to-night the Premier. Sir Joseph Ward, said that he wished to take the opportunity of saying that tho Government proposed -to submit to Parliament next session a material alteration in connection ititli our internal defence system. They would submit proposals, not of a compulsory character," but ensuring a national system of drill for the youth of this country from the time they went to school, passing through the cadet corps, to the age of 21. . They would make it an absolute certainty that the young portio/l of this community would be equipped as effectively as if they tried to force upon them a system of compulsion, which a great many people in this country were opposed to. He believed the Government would be able to submit a very much better scheme of defence thair thev had at tho moment, and one ■vvliicTi would make lor .a stronger, better and more uniform system of internal defence: than they had had before. No member of the Administration was actuated by any feeling of jingoism, but, as commonsense men, they ‘knew that we should, taking into consideration the value and responsibility of this country, help to ensure a position that contributed to the maintenance of peace throughout the Empire. To ensure that they would have the assistance of large numbers of men who might be termed reserves, they would make provision for wne ranges from end to end of New Zealand, without cost to tho country. They would see that every one of the rule clubs secured a supply of free ammunition to tho extent of 200 rounds per man. (Applause.) If the Government did this, and if the members of private rifle clubs actively engaged in practice, io become good shots, we ought to be able in New Zealand, without creating a- feeling of militarism, to nave a. strong available land force, which in time of stress and trouble would ho called into active service so as to mamfain our . own position. There was no use, in times such as these, of people calling members, of the administration names or imputing motives. Ihe Government knew no motive of any sort or kind except one. That was the recognition of the enormous .responsibility upon their shoulders of doing what they believed to he right. to maintain unsullied, in the interest of generations to follow, a country peopled by a white race proud to belong to the Old Country ; a country that was proud to lu render the British flag. (Lend and continued cheering.)