COMPULSORY MILITARY TRAINING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2502, 15 May 1909, Page 5

COMPULSORY MILITARY TRAINING.

was for £357, tho owner has paid £250, AT WELLINGTON.

[Per Press Association.]

AVELLINGTON, May 14. A public meeting was held in the concert chamber of the Town Hall last night in favor of compulsory military training, the Mayor (Dr. Newman) presiding. Opposition to this movement had been manifested for sorno time by Socialists and others, and they had held preliminary meetings and arranged to oppose any resolution favoring compulsory training. Last night the hall was crowded, and it was soon evident that the opposition was present in force. Mr. R. McXab, ex-Minister of Defence, was the principal speaker, •'itii groat difficulty and constant interruption he managed to deliver an address in favor of compulsory military training, though his speech was curtailed and much of his argument lost owing to the uproar. It seemed impossible to maintain order, all the speakers being subjected to continued heckling. Mr. R. C. Kirk moved the following resolution : “Recognising that (1) despite the enthusiasm and selfsacrifice displayed by tho officers and men of the volunteer force of New Zealand, and the large sums of public money annually devoted to tho purpose-, ~ tho inadequacy of our defence is a source of danger to ourselves and of weakness to tho Empire; and (2) that tliero is no reasonable hope of anv permanently satisfactory result under existing conditions, this meeting considers that a system of universal military training should be established forthwith, in order to qualify our young men for tho defence of New Zealand in time of need.” Mr. R. Hogg endeavored to move a long amendment, but was unable to obtain a hearing, though he was able between the interruptions to utter a few* remarks. Eventually those on the platform commenced to sing the National Anthem. This was taken up by the majority of the audience, and the meeting closed without even the resolution being put.

MR. Me NA B TO VISIT WANG AN U

WANGANUI, May 14.

Mr. tt. McNab has accepted the in-, vitation of the local branch of the National Defence League to address a public meeting on tho subject of universal training during the first week in June. .....