INTERVIEW WITH THE CHIEF JUSTICE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2487, 14 June 1915, Page 7

INTERVIEW WITH THE CHIEF JUSTICE

(By Telegraph—Special Correspondent.) Napier, June 12. For the purpose of obtaining the impression ot a judicial mind regarding the question of recruiting in New Zealand as compared with the Home Country, a reporter waited on His Honour the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout), who consented to an interview. ''I do not know how recruiting'' is going on here," said His Honour, "so I cannot speak on that." Do you know how recruiting is going on in the Home Country, and whether we are recruiting as much as they there? "No doubt the New Zealanders have done exceeding well in recruiting," replied His Honour, "but in a part of Scotland that I know, and in some parts of the South of England, and some districts in Ireland, the recruiting has been far heavier than in some parts of Now Zealand. In tbe Northern or Outer Hebrides, which contain 28,000 men, women, and children, 1000 left for the front in i.lie month of August. In North Uist and South Uist and Benkeclara there was not a man left of fighting age. Old men and boys have all the work to do. In my native islands (Shetland) large numbers have left for the war. There were 500 naval reserve men in'Lerwick who left during the first week of the war. The total population is, I think, about 4000. In one island—lair Island—l noticed that the second or third draft was 18 men, and the total population is not I think 200. The number of tho naval men, as compared with the population is very large from the Shetlands; larger, I suppose, per thousand than any part of the Empire, and they have also sent men to various Scottish. regiments. Ido not know how the recruiting is here, bpt I mention these facts to show that the Home people are doing their share in the defence of the Empire. I heard that in one village in Dorset all the men of fighting age had gone, and I met one of my countrymen _ and asked him about his village. He said the same thing had happened there. Moreover, I have been told that in two or threo parts of the North of Ireland the samo thing occurred. I mention this to show tliat whatever we are doing, the Homo people are not less loyal to the Empire. They realise the terrible crisis in which our nation is placed, and tliat if wo do not win our nation is doomed to be under the heels of a people who are, in my opinion, without honour, without chivalry, without morality, and without freedom."