113

A—s

Mr. F. R. MOOR : My Lord, I have to thank the Government for having put before us so clearly and lucidly the views that are held here with regard to some organized system for common Imperial defence, and the resolution that is placed before us is one which I can give my sincere support to. I agree with the views that have been expressed by the previous speakers that, by having a common system, such as is indicated here, on these broad principles, that is one that can only lead to good. The interchange of Staff officers, as indicated here, is one that will undoubtedly be of great advantage to the Colonies in the direction of keeping the Colonies duly informed and educated up to the latest standards of military thought and science. I feel sure that, as regards South Africa, our final military organization with regard to that very important possession is still in the lap of the gods, inasmuch as we are not yet a federated country, but we all do realise that we have a common duty first in providing for an efficient local defence, and eventually in giving as much assistance as we possibly can to the Empire; but we do feel, Sir, that to carry this out efficiently it can only come about when we*have obtained what we all hope will be in the near future—a Federated Sub-Continent. We feel, Sir, that in that part of the world we are especially bound to take the gravest notice of our military efficiency. We not only hold a most unique position as regards the Empire in the event of a general war, being in such a very important position with regard to all the important trade routes, which is the Imperial aspect, but we also have a very unique position as regards our local environments with respect to the large native population, that it is our duty and our burden to govern and control. Having all these heavy obligations upon us we feel that it is only by a common purpose that we can carry out efficiently the conditions of the defence that will be satisfactory to ourselves in the first instance, and also, I trust, to the Home Government when our organizations are complete. Speaking for the Colony I represent, I believe there, Sir, we are more or less in advance of any of the other British Colonies in the Empire. We have there a compulsory system as regards our Militia, and during the late disturbance with our natives we did find that this system of ours was fairly effective. There is no doubt it will have to be amended in some directions, but on the whole, Sir, it has worked well. We have also a very complete cadet system there in connection with all our Public Schools. All our young people have to go through a military training at these schools, not only in drilling and more or less discipline, but by annual encampments and efficiency in rifle practice. This movement is very popular among the young people, and to my mind is in the direction of the solution of that recognition by every citizen that in the hour of peril, whether it be in the Colonies, or whether it be in the United Kingdom, every man should do his duty with regard to the defence of his country. We are training these young people and I think the fact of their being trained at this early age imbues them with a feeling that they do owe a duty to their country and also to the Empire. Sir, I thank you for the broad lines on which you have put this very great question before us, and I feel that your views will have great weight with the people I represent, and I believe that your views will have great effect on the Conference we are now attending in the direction of promoting unity with regard to our common defence. General BOTHA : I should just like to say a few words and to thank the Minister for War very heartily for the valuable information he has imparted to us. The position that we have got to take up to-day and to discuss is that

16—A. 5.

Fourth Day. 20 April 19(17.

Military Defence.