DEFENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3225, 23 May 1911, Page 6

DEFENCE.

SPEECH BY THE COMMANDANT. [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.! INVERCARGILL, May 22. Major-General Godley addressed large meeting of citizens on Wednesday night on defence matters. He deck that it was not with the idea of fos. ing a spirit of militarism. The scheme wrns one of voluntary universal training. It was the people’s schame, and! tne people would have to see it through. Major-General Godley visited the Western District, Bluff, and Stewart Island. ‘ ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING AT WAIHI. WAIHI, May 22. In the Public Doman yesterday afternoon, an ex-South African contingenter gave a stirring address on the defence scheme, and moved a resolution in favor of compulsory training. A Socialist leader moved an amendment, that the gathering protest against compulsory training. The Socialist insisted on a divisiori, and about 300 took .up a- position in favor of the amendment, and about 1200 on the other side. The resolution was carried with enthusiasm, the majority singing the!National Anthem, while others interrupted with groans.

ABOLITION OF KILTS. PROTEST FROM WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, May 22. A meeting of Scotsmen interested decided to-night to arrange a deputation to the Minister of Defence protesting against the abolition of kilts in the uniform- of future defence forces. Sympathetic communications have been received from other parts of New 'Zealand'. “ DENOMINATIONALISM RUN MAD.” AUCKLAND.. May 22. The Auckland Miners’ Association met this afternoon, and after discussion the following resolution was carried 1 : “That, the Auckland Miners’ Association strongly disapproves of the introduction of sectarianism into- the arrangements for National defence. It regards such -a proposal as “denominational ism run, mad.” It protests against tin's principle, and it affirms its decision to continue to oppose any departure from this principle.” ' ;