WORKERS & THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2681, 29 January 1916, Page 6

WORKERS & THE WAR

CONFERENCE MANIFESTO COMMENTS BY THE PRIME MINISTER PLAIN SPEAKING The manifesto against conscription, issued by tho Conference convened by the Federation of Labour, was the subject of comment by the Prime Minister last night. Speaking to a reporter Mr. 3!3ssey said: _ "I read the-manifesto of the conference called by tho Federation of Labour, but 1 cannot believe that it accurately represents the views of those who wore present. I am quite certain that

it does not represent tho views of the great, majority of the workers of this country, tho great bulk of whom are both practical and enthusiastic in their patriotism; that is proved by the many thousands of wage-earners belonging to tlie Dominion who are to-day wearing the King's uniform, and fighting for their country on the" other side of .tho world.' I am sorry to say that, so far ns\ I. am able to judge, there is very little evidence of enthusiastic patriotism in the document which was given out. as the result of the conference. The authors quote a German-made opinion, which appeared in the 'Clarion, 1 bitterly opposing conscription; but many articles, might be quoted from tho samo paper, just as strongly on the other side of the question. I saw_ one not long ago referring to the National Register and concluding"fc'ith these words: 'By and by, compulsion should become inevitable, the register will become in-, valuable, and who then, if defeai and Invasion threaten, will; dare to opjwse conscription?' "I do not intend 'here to discuss pe respective merits of either conscription or the voluntary system; but I would 6ny to those who' aro responsible for tho manifesto which appeared in the newspapers to-day, that if tliey want to avoid conscription or compulsion, then their coursc is clear. Let them assist heartily an<l enthusiastically to make the voluntary system a success_ during the present war. Let them' realise that the Germans aro out to smash Britain herself, and invade British territory overseas; and that _if they are to be prevented from giving effect to their intention" it will be by every section of the community assisting with all its heart and soul and strongth to defeat the common enemy.

"In our own country we . know that such manifestos are of very little value, and do not represent the opinion of more than a very small proportion of

the population; but as newspapers from every part of the Empire Teao.lt the enemy, a great deal of harm is done by such productions encouraging the German authorities to believe that the British people are disunited with regard to the war, and longing for peace at any price, whereas the contrary is the ease-. There may be a few, as Shakespeare says, 'wlio have no stomach for this fight, 1 hut the British people were never so united at any'period of their - history, as they are' now, and ticver bo determined to como out victorious as theya're at present. ; "If the manifesto is intended in any way to influence the New Zealand Government, then le.fc me say it will not have tho t slightest cffect; Wo know our duty, 'and will do it to' the best of our ability. We are giving the voluntary 'system a good trial. If it fails (and it has not failed yet), then to do our duty as a community_ there is only one alternative —compulsion—and the latter must be adopted when'that time comes." ' ;