A VOLUNTEER'S REPLY TO FEDERATED LABOUR CONFERENCE.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2681, 29 January 1916, Page 7

A VOLUNTEER'S REPLY TO FEDERATED LABOUR CONFERENCE.

Sir,—A modern Tower of Babel about describes the conference held in Wellington. As to tho manifesto issued— pure piffle, I call it. Thank God, it is not the opinion of the thinking; working class of New Zealand, of winch I nm one. I made the supreme sacrifice the.

Empire requires to still safeguard the women and the citizens' privileges 'under the British flag. Conscription is required. It's an ugly word, -but apply it to modern conditions: it only means the organisation of a country's resources in men, money, and machinery. Every man will be allotted his part—in the field, at the front, in the workshop, in commercial circles —and it is the part of men unfit for arduous field work and tlio part of women to bo operating in other sections. Organise the resources of the country, and help your loaders to do it. Don't block them. .The "hill", wo have yet to climb is steep enough, and it is only by intelligent administration that we will win out on top. Human nature is still selfish, and any nation is open to the exploitation of human parasites in every walk in life. That is liunuui nature, and it would take the power of Christ Himself to change such. The nation has been exploited by smart commercial houses and individuals—not them all, but a section. There is no sentiment in business, but there can and should be honour.

Studying the "manifesto" carefully, I disagree with it. The saving feature in it is that the Government should provide more for dependents of fallen heroes. Well and good but as usual Lalsour is "too. hot" in demands. They would bankrupt the country very soon. What do the Federated Labour Party really want? Are they prepared to see this country under th 9 Gorman eagle? Well, they can have it, but not before they exterminate the British race wholesale.' I am a Britisher. I've been born under the Union Jack, lived uijder it under peace conditions, and I have found it free enough and fair enough. Now that its existence is threatened, it's worth fighting for, and, if need bo, dying for to uphold. We have an example always before us to apply nationally and individually, i.e., the Biblical illustration of the man who sold his birthright for a mess of pottage. Probably some of the Federated Labour Party, and also some of the wealthy land-owners are of the same kidney. For any. party to stand and say a vohintaiy army is better than a conscript army is enough for any thinking man. Study France, Belgium, Italy, Russia, and others. That's answer enough. To finish up, one can look upon the manifesto as a bad samplo of "hot air" which circulates in the States principally. I think it is time a gag was put on a certain periodical, though no doubt our intelligent leaders say "piffle," and rightly treat it as sisch, but a gag is more effective. —I am, etc., G. M. BROWN, The Camp, January 28.