ANTI-MILITARISTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1282, 10 November 1911, Page 2

ANTI-MILITARISTS.

CONFERENCE IN WELLINGTON. liKSObt "J'JONS ADOPTED, A two-days' conference, of delegates itI" esenlin;; the various anti-militarist leagues nni! other lxidies opposed to com - piilsnrv military (ruining 1 hronnhout (lit Dominion waf, opened in Wellington yestcrdii.v at Ih•> Y.M.C.A. The following .'imi I lie names ill llelcglili'S present :—\Vclling--1"n t .Mr. W. Seolt, lledlord (president W«-llin^t'vii League), Mes.-rs. W. M'G, Smith, 1!. 11. (ifirlicli, 11. I'odley, Goodlier, McidaiiH's Cornish, .lows, Cameron, Mis* lirown (S.'A. Society (if Friends), I'. Freeman, 'I'. A. Ea;,d<- (N'.Z.S.P.i, It. Pobcrts (N'.Z.F.I;.), mill Miss fiflin.'i An-ilfi-'in (N.Z.F.1,.). Auckland, Mr. If. 1,. Piidncy (Society (if Friends and Pi-ace Sfjci'-ly), Mr. 11. Wbo (Anti-Militarist 'Inuncil). C'hrMchureh, Me-«rs. I!. C. Ford, l„ Christie, C. I!. X. Mackio ('.National Peace Council). Dunedin, Mrs. Christie. Feildint;, Mr. .1. Tunniclifie 1 A it! i-M i lit !i fiKt, I,er>gue), Iluntly and Wailii ],e.'ijfi»•■>, Mr. 11. J. Jieck. lirookI.VII League: Mr. 1!. S. lioss. Jfunanf/a, Greynioutb, and Oobden Leagues, .Mr. 11. Knight. Blackball (/-ague, Mr. W. I.ror/iilaw. Hasting/) League, Mr. If. H. Seanier arid K. .1. Whiltaker. Puporig.a Lf.'igue, Mr. M'.Neill.

Mr. Scott Bedford, on behalf of the Wellington J/eague, welcomed the delegates. 11 e regretted that, the conference had been unable Ui meet while Parliament was sitting, but good work had done, and notwithstanding the misrepresentation and ridicule of the pre«», the movement had resulted in the Government backing down to a certain extent. Sir Joseph Ward had prorni'-r.-d much, Imt. they would riot bo hypnotised by j»romi:-:c-«. Peporls from the various delegates were received, stating that, the movement against compulsory military training was gaining ground all over the Dominion. Mr. Christie (Christchurcbj mentioned that a cherine of .£3O had been received by his council from England by cable. A Preamble, and a Motion. Mr. R. C. Ford (Christchurch) move! the Christchurch remits, as follow:— "Whereas the Defence Act, 1993, and its amoiidmenl, 1010, introduces into this Dominion the principle of conscription (i.e., compulsory enrolment for military service), which has proved the cutse r.i Europe; introduces military law and courts-martial in time of peace—courts so constituted as to lie directly oppo'ed to the spirit and substance of "common law ami to the spirit and substanco of the British Constitution, from which courts there is no appe.il; violate; freedom of conscience in basing the claim for exemption on doctrinal and not conscientious grounds; ignores parental authority and uiakes criminals of children and young men who have done no wrong. (For the offence of non-registration the penalty is life-long. It includes the loss of political rights and of all hope of employment in any Government Department, and is expiated by neither fine nor imprisonment) While professing to provide for the defence of this country, invites members of tho Territorial l-orces (youths in some wises only 18 years of age) to volunteer, in time of peace, to serve abroad' at any time during a stated period and on acceptance of their oiler gives the Governor power to order them on foreign service —thus possibly forcing a man to participate in a war which his conscicnce condemns, 'as a result of a promise rashly made in immature youth; will certainly increase the burden of taxation until it becomes, as it is in Europe, intolerable (as a matter of fact, the Defence vote is already approximating the vote for Education); will have the effect of implanting and cultivating the war spirit m the minds 6f our youth; is antagonistic to the growing peace spirit of the age, which is making for the recognition of the brotherhood of man; will inevitably tend to a demand for an increased term of military service and for residence in barracks or camps, which must have—as has been universally proved—a demoralising ellcct upon the nation; will cause serious ,m}et'fyrfince,.u.rcith the youth's opportunities for technical and higher education; confers powers upon the military authorities which nro absolutely destructive of all democratic institutions and civic freedom; necessitates tho prcsenco in Wellington of.a larjje number of Imperial and colonial military officers, who will be in a position to bring influence to bear upon our legislators and cause a continual demand for an increase of armaments. The pcoplo of New Zealand are urged to demand its immediate repeal."

The mover said that l.ho National Peace Council (Christchurch) had eudeavoured to make their case against the Act as completo and perfoot as possible, and also had made certain of its absolute truth. The remits had been issued as a manifesto, and a quarter of a million copies were being printed for distribution. Ho dealt with the remits seriatim, explaining their objects, and moved their adoption. .Mr. Beck (Huntly) seconded tho motion.

Mr. A. A. Ross (Brooklyn) said the remits were an almost complete synthesis of the case against the Act. However, ho would like to know if the mover and seconder would agree to add an additional clause as follows:—"Will allow the permanent forces to bo utilised against tho working class in times of industrial disputes."

This was agreed to, and the motion carried.

The League's Propaganda. Mr. L. P. Christie (Christchurch) moved:

"That this conference considers it advisablo to arrange for the supply of a weekly report as to the dointrs of the military authorities and also of the propress of the anli-military movement in New Zealand, such report to ba forwarded to prominent people, newspaper editors, pcaco societies, etc., in Great Britain, with a request that the matter bo published as widely as possible, thus giving the peoplo of the Old Land a correct account of tho movements for and against militarism in the Dominion."

Tho mover read two cablegrams that had recently appeared in British newspapers, which, he said, were gross misrepresentations of what had taken plaeo hero. It was desirable, he said, to liave a correct report of the anti-militarist movement, and also of the doings of tho military authorities in Now Zealand, which could be forwarded to peoplo interested at Home. The motion was seconded and carried. Tho following remit from Huntly was carried: "That members of the council refuse to support any political candidate who is not in favour of the repeal of the compulsory trainiug clauses of the Defence Act." The Wellington Remits, Remits from Wellington were carricd as follow, after full discussion :— That the i-ociety of Friends bo written to in Great Britain regarding Mr. H. Corde.r's services in the cause here. That all candidates at general election be asked to state their position definitely in reference to the Defence Act. That courts-martial and military lawbo abolished, and trial by civil process bo substituted.

That tho Government be asked to compensate those punished, and that non-.i-s be taken otf prison records, seeing only two out of 13,000 were imprisoned. That Peace Day (May IS) bo observed in New Zealand. That uo system of defence will be acceptable to tho people of New Zealand unless the same be.on a voluntary basis, starting with adulthood, and guarantees that the forces be paid thn trades union rate of wages aad be used in New Zealand alone, and in New Zealand never in industrial disputes; and, furthermore, that no soldiers or ollicers lie allowed to work any industries in case if industrial disputes. The conference then adjourned till this morning at HI o'clock. In the evening tho visiting delegates were entertained at a reception and dance, which was held in the Alexandra Ilalt. This evening a mass meeting is to beheld in the Concert Chamber, Town Hall, when a number of speeches will be delivered on the subject of the main principles of the platform of the Anti-Alili-tarist League.