IF CONSCRIPTION COMES

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2633, 2 December 1915, Page 6

IF CONSCRIPTION COMES

STATE COAL MINERS' THREAT

INDUSTRIAL REVOLT

THE PRIME MINISTER'S REJOINDER

A letter has been received by the Prime Minister from the Point Elizabeth arid Liverpool State Collieries' Employees' Industrial Union of AYorkers, covering the following resolution passed at a meeting of the union:—

"We, tho members of the Point Elizabeth and Liverpool State Collieries' Employees' Industrial Union of Workers, strongly resent the utterances of certain members of the Ministry and the Press, inasmuch as they are endeavouring to bring on a feeling favourable to conscription of the flesh and blood of the working classes of Now Zealand, while, at the same time failing to conscript the wealth and private property of the rich. Furthermore, we are determined to meet such a calamity as conscription by industrial revolt." To this lotter the Prime Minister has dispatched tho following reply:—

"I have to acknowledge the receipt of your lotter of the 29th ultimo, forwarding copy of a resolution passed at a meeting of the Point Elizabeth State Collieries Union, the contents of. which I have duly noted. "I must, however, take exception to the wording, and to the sentiments expiessed in the resolution as passed by tho union. I take pride in the fact that all classes in this country have responded loyally and patriotically to the Empire's call, and that those whom your resolution refers to as 'the working class' have enlisted in their thousands and are fighting for freedom and civilisation at Gallipoli and other places in a way which has compelled tho admiration of. the whole Empire. I am happy to say there arp no class distinctions in the trenches, but-that all sections are doing their duty there in the national crisis" through which we are passing. In saying this I do not admit that class distinctions exist in New Zealand in the manner in which your resolution would imply. Ninety-five per cent, of the people of New Zealand aro workers in the best sense of the word, and each and every one of them will be glad to admit that such is the case. "Let me say in conclusion that if tlio last sentence of your resolution is intended to threaten the Government it will not havo the slightest effect. While expressing no opinion at present on the subject of conscription or compulsory service, the Government will do exactly what it belioves to he right from tho national standpoint, and is prepared' to take. the consequences afterwards. "In. view of tho importance of the matter I ani handing your communication and this letter to the Press.-"