Dr. HILLIERasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies how long universal military training of the youth of the country under the Defence Act had been in force in New Zealand; whether it had been adopted with general good will by the inhabitants of the country; and if he could say approximately what the annual cost to the Colony per head, of the training provided for up to the age of twenty-one years, amounted to?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Colonel Seely)The law providing for universal military training in New Zealand was passed last December. I am not in a position to answer the second part of the question. Owing to its recent adoption it is, of course, impossible to say at present what will be the annual cost of the scheme.
Dr. HILLIERHave the Colonial Office not some information with regard to this very important matter?
§ Colonel SEELYI am not in a position to answer the question whether the scheme adopted has been received with the general good will of the inhabitants of the country.