THE DEFENCE MEETING

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2529, 16 June 1909, Page 4

THE DEFENCE MEETING

Although His Majesty’s Theatre was by no means full last- evening, there was a sufficiently large number present to indicate ‘that a thoroughly live interest is at present being taken in the important questions of Imperial and local defence. The.' tone of tho speakers, who represented all sections of the community,, was most earnest and sincere, whilst the audience was evidently quite enthusiastic in support of the policy that was enunciated. Undoubtedly the keynote of the meeting, as Dr. Collins aptly expressed it, was Imperial unity.. No one, who heard the murmurs of approbation that went round tho building whenever reference was made to the British/navy or the Union Jack, could doubt the intensity of the devotion with which the. average colonial venerates tho Motherland. To Gisborneites, as to citizens in all parts of this Dominion, Imperial unity is now an important factor in our existence; a sentiment which, always existent, has recently been roused to abnormal activity by tlie revelation of a possible danger to the British navy. Indeed, the audience last night wore more easily moved by references to Imperial matters than,they were to those dealing exclusively'with the defence of their own ebuntry. In this respect it needs only to be. said that the little meeting, held in our comparatively small town, is but a reflex of similar gatherings that are being bold at tho present time in all parts of tho Dominion. If this same spirit animates the other outlying portions oi-British territory—and there is every reason to bolievo that it does then the remarkable conglomeration of States which comprise tho British Empre rest upon a solid foundation oi unity and strength which can scarcely be shaken by any conceivable attack or £aiqgtroj>he. seem§ no doubt

that the usually apathetic English people have at last been stirred from their customary apathy; and in every quarter of the globo they are, under stress of German threats, fancied or real, 'preparing to assert their united strength. This is as it should be for, as was well said last night, Britain deserves the great Empire she now molds not a moment longer than she is prepared to defend it. Only one discordant note was struck at the meeting, but thus was of so striking a nature and was so forcibly put that it cannot be lightly passed by. Mr. W. L. Rees suggested, in all seriousness, that England should present an ultimatum to Germany requesting her to cease building more battleships, failing which she should forthwith attack and destroy the German fleet. How the speaker, who in the same breath extolled the high ideals of British national policy, could formulate such an unjust, intolerant, and domineering attitude, is hard to conceive. As Britishers we have been proud to believe that our navy has been used for the development of peaceful (progress amongst the nations of the world; Mr. Rees would have us descend to the role of a bully. We have stood for the open door in commerce, we have interfered only when deliberately provoked, and we have /never denied, to other nations the exercise of legitimate aspirations. The aspirations of the Germans to the same position which we •hold in the world’s affairs are entirely legitimate; and for us as a nation to attempt to repress those aspirations by the exercise of temporary superiority in naval strength would be to make us guilty of an unpardonable national crime.. No Empire was ever built up and permanently maintained upon such principles, nor ever will be, and even if it could be the task would not be worth the doing. Empire building is a magnifioent, superb function, but even so high a destiny can be achieved at too great a cost, and the deliberate annihilation by bloody wars and wholesale massacres of all (possible rivals would be too great a cost. For those who desire, as we do, the permanent supremacy of the British navy and Empire—both of which are at present indissolubly connected^ —there is only one policy possible, namely, to strain every nerve to show to Germany and all other rivals that we intend to keep our navy at such a standard that, no other Power, or likely combination of Powers, can hope for success in attacking us. Our Empire is big enough and wealthy enough to accomplish this end; and, if the task is undertaken in a true spirit of national sacrifice, it is only a question of time, when our opponents, ■groaning under their terrible burden, will recognise the hopelessness of the struggle in armaments, and will resign the effort at world supremacy. This is a legitimate line of endeavor worthy of an Empire, the greatest the world has known, and founded on the highest ideals of humanitarianism.

Coming to the more pressing question of local defence, the speakers last night dwelt very capably on the necessity for a system of compulsory military training being brought into vogue- in New Zealand, and the temper of the audience was undoubtedly wholly in sympathy with the idea. Even Sir Joseph Ward will be compelled to listen attentively to this popular outcry; and we shall not lie surprised if he. informs his fellow delegates at the Naval Conference in London that New Zealand will shortly have such a system in operation. It he is wise lie will take the public into liis confidence on this matter before lie leaves for England.