COMPULSORY TRAINING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2650, 4 November 1909, Page 5

COMPULSORY TRAINING.

DISCUSSION AT THE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

At the meeting of the Borough Council last ‘evening, a letter was received from the Town Clerk, Christchurch, enclosing a copy of a resolution passed by his Council in favor of compulsory military training, and asked that the Gisborne Council be good enough to consider the advisability of recording a similar expression of opinion. Or. Collins said he thought such a motion somewhat outside the Council’s sphere. Cr. Kirk proposed that a resolution, such as the cue suggested should be passed.

Cr. Clayton said that- while lie did net- oppose the motion, he thought- the Council should not discuss political questions which were largely controversial

The Mayor seconded the motion, saying that it was a very proper one. Moreover, anything likely to further the protection of the Borough was within the scope of the Coimcil’s work. He thought, however, that it- would' be advisable to add something to the resolution to the effect that the compulsory training should be arranged so as not t-o interfere with business.

Cr. Collins: If you are going to start a debate you will open up a political matter t-liat will last some considerable period. I am perfectly pi repared to speak for an hour. Cr. Clayton: So am I. Cr. Darton moved that the letter be merely received. The matter was a controversial one, and there were more urgent claims on the Council’s attention.

Cr. Collins remarked that- a certain amount of kudos seemed to be attached to people who took the popular side in political matters at the meetings of local bodies. Cr. Clayton: It is obvious our Parliamentary members are very small fry after the Borough Council. Crs. Collins and Clayton then left, the room till the motion was disposed of.

s'■ Cr. Harris said he did not tliink the defence of one’s home was exactly a political matter. He spoke in favor of the motion, which was also supported by Cr. Somervell. Cr. Ivirk pointed out That Emerson had laid down in one of his essavs that the Government should follow the people, and not- lead, and it was therefore the duty of local bodies to indicate how the wishes of the people lay in these matters. The resolution was carried.