AUSTRALIA’S DUTY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3142, 11 February 1911, Page 10

AUSTRALIA’S DUTY.

WHILST THE NATIONS ARE ARMING. A SPIRITED APPEAL. Speaking at Mudgee (N.8.W.) the other day, Senator Pearce (Minister tor Defence) replying to the toast of his health, remarked that many people said there was no real necessity for a defence force, they considered such a thing a relic of ancient barbarism, and that there should be international arbitration. The nations had not yet reached that stage, and he was doubtful whether they would submit certain issues to peaceable arbitration. As' a matter of fact, be was certain that on some questions even Australia would not be prepared to arbitrate; and unless they were prepared to say they were ready and willing to submit every question'to a third party international arbitration could not be brought about. (Jtner countries were going in for universal conscription. They were arming to the teeth ; they were drilling their millions, making war materials, charging their cartridges, filling their shells, a lid stocking their magazines to the doors. Australia would be foolish to sit down and nass nicely-worded resolutions about international arbitration while • the other fellow was busily engaged sharpening his sword. (Hear, hear!) EIGHT DAYS’ SAIL. ! Australians realised the priceless boon that had been passed on to them- A magnificent heritage had been given to them without a shot being fired in anger and without the dispossession by force of anv other nation. Australians rested • for .100 years with their priceless heritage in their hands, unmolested by any devasting war; but what guarantee had Australians that that great privilege was going to be theirs for ever? Why . should Australia, of all peoples of the ear-*- 1 - W exempt from the price notfcwWto I«y »; ' vort!l ™!" queiilirt? Teeming countries WO 10 Mltll--in ernht days’ sail of Australia, and their vast popiilatons were on the verge of subsistence; Other nations were pio. pared to bar the advance of these h bides with a front of steel, 'but Australia lay open and almost unoccupied. When Australians thought over these questions did they not see tile importance of having a defence scheme? _ (Hear, hear.) No country ever retained its position as a nation unless it was prepared to sacrifice individually its money, time and leisure. (Hear, hear.) All these demands were being made on Australia to-day. and must be made on Australia in the future. The sooner the Australian who growled and grumbled at the price lie had to nav left these shores the better it would be for himself and for everyone else. (Applause.) ARMY AND NAVY. Two schemes —naval and military—were being inaugurated. The military scheme was now practically commencing, and it only remained for the officers in charge to loyally carry it into effect to make it a success. It also remained tor parents, particularly for parent; of lads’ who were called upon to registsi, to say that scheme was going to be a success by giving their hearty co-opera-tion and support. The Empire’s naval policy Avas the poiicw that Australia required. Australians wanted a navy maintained and manned bv Australians to collaborate Avith the Home fleet and r defend Australian shores should occasion arise. On that day in Sydney the hammers were clanging on the plates and bolts of the first of those armed boats. The Federal Government intended to give Australia an opportunity to do something. A protected cruiser and three destroyers Avoukl lie oonstruetedin Australia. But they bad something more to do than merely build ships. Australians bad to man them. Seme said that Australians could not be persuaded to volunteer to man the ships. Shame on the person avlio said that. As Australia had responded for military purposes, so would Ausralia respond to the call to man the ships cf Avar (Ap-

plause.) ■ He Avishcd to say to members of riffe clubs that be intended to make tlie department of more use to riflemen of Australia than it bad hitherto been. (Hear, hear.) There Avere many tilings that caused friction in regard to management of rifle clubs, and also in regard to rifle ranges. The riflemen Avere, on paper, said to be reseiwes for the fmlrtino- line. In actual practice, howevsv, he believed they Avere not, because the riflemen at present Avere neither clothed nor uniformed. He proposed that riflemen should be drilled, and supplied Avith uniforms and side-nmn bv the Government. They could then call their riflemen a real reserve.