THE DEFENCE PROPOSALS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2679, 8 December 1909, Page 5

THE DEFENCE PROPOSALS.

A LOCAL OFFICER’S OPINIONS

The proposals embodied in the new Defence Bill are arousing a great deal of interest all over the Dominion, and a great deal of speculation has taken place locally as to what extent Gisborne •will be affected thereby. In some quarters it has been suggested that under the proposed territorial army scheme, the local foot corps would probably be abolished, and the mounted corps increased in strength. » Chatting to a “Times” representative yesterday, Captain C. Hellier Evans, of the East Coast Mounted Rifles,’gave it as his opinion that such would not he the case. He thought that the proposed .change would be merely a transfer from the volunteer force to the territorial force. lie thought the change would not mean a great deal for the local corps, “but,” continued Captain Evans, “after, ten years it will ‘he rather hard to sever ourselves from the bid memories and traditions of the corps with a good grace and start afresh.” According to Captain Evans, the new proposals, if given effect to, will not result in any disadvantage to his corps, except that, perhaps about a dozen men may be affected by the age limit. The corps would be better off in every way, better equipped and better paid, and run by the Defence Department; also, their service would not lie broken. The Territorials will he a force of 20,000 men, and if any'corps fall short of their proportionate number, that number will be made up from the''ranks of the compulsorily trained. The enlistment in the Territorials would be voluntary, and it would practically mean that when the volunteers w r ere disbanded they should re-enlist for a term of three years. THE CANTEEN QUESTION. The vexed question of military canteens wa9 mentioned, and in answer to a query, Captain Evans said that after years of experience he had come to the conclusion that the establishment of canteens was the best method of stopping drunkenness. There was no need for’any uneasiness and no fear that any irregularities would take place. The canteens were not run for profit, the quality of the liquor sold in them was good, and they were run under strict supervision. It would be no good saying that the men were not to have liquor as it would surely find its way into the camp despite the regulations. The Bill provided that no liquor was to be sold to any person under 21 years of age, and thus the vouths who were to be compulsorily trained would be excluded. ~ VARIOUS PROTESTS. [PicR Press Association.! , WANGANUI, Dec. 7. The Council of Churches to-day passed the following resolution—“ That this meeting of the Wanganui Council of Churches, having considered the telegram from the Right Hon. the Premier, in reply to- the resolutions passed in the local churches relative to Canteens for the supply of intoxicants in military gatherings, pledges itself to oppose in every constitutional manner compulsory military training, if liquor is to be supplied or sold an the encampments.” Dec . ? The Chamber of. Commerce last night unanimouslv adopted the following resolution: “‘That the Feildmg Chamber of Commerce heartily endorses compulsory military training, but objects to the provision for liquor canteens reenacted in the Defence Bill now before the House.” _ DUNEDIN, Dec. 7. The Dunedin Presbytery, on the motion of the Rev. Mr Scorgie. unanimouslv entered an emphatic protest against the Government’s proposal to open canteens in connection with military .camps for compulsory training of the'youth of tho Dominion. -Taien pas. tors present resolved to wire to the Hon. T. Mackenzie, urging him to op-pose-the opening of canteens.