Thank you for correcting the text in this article. Your corrections improve Papers Past searches for everyone. See the latest corrections.

This article contains searchable text which was automatically generated and may contain errors. Join the community and correct any errors you spot to help us improve Papers Past.

Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image

The Dominion THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1916. TREASON AND ITS LESSONS

I Asy level-headed man or woman rousfc endorse the opinion expressed by a_ correspondent whose letter we publish in andther column that tho present I.W.W. disturbances throughout Australia, which may bo taken to include the anti-conscrip-tion agitation, should make us do some very hard thinking here in New Zealand. Just how far direct German influence and tho efforts of German conspirators are responsible for the crimes of murder and arson and tho treasonable agitations, and disturbances which are new creating turmoil in the Commonwealth we do not profess to know. It has been clearly established, however, that German influence was at work in connection with the recent I.W.W. outrages,' and very possibly if we could lay baro tho_ whole inner history of tho antisocial and anti-national campaign of which these outrages are tho head and front it would.be found that German inspiration has played throughout an important part. Tho underground activities of enemy agents make, of course, a very definite call upon the vigilance of the- public authorities within whose jurisdiction they are operating. But the problem and the perils which appear in the conditions now reigning in Australia are much graver arid more complex than they would be if we had to deal only with the of German emissaries in corrupting the very small section of the population whom they can hope at any time to seduce by their own .exertions. The real problem which has lifted its head in Australia—and it is one in which New Zealand has a very grave and rmmediate concern—strikes deeper into the roots of national life. Facing the facts, we must recognise that there are elements in or on tho fringe of tho Labour movement in Australia and in this country which represent a direct and unscrupulous attack upon all that we should most highly prize in the way of social security and well-being, and that at tho present time these elements are playing the enemy's game. To ,what extent enemy inspiration is behind their agitation is not the main question at issue. Indeed, it is quite certain that liany of those who are doing everything in their power, in Australia and in this country, to hamper and impede their own nation in the prosecution of the war are innocent of any actual contact with the enemy. They are playing tho enemy's game, 1 but the majority of them are blind to the faot, being the tools of cleverer men, or their outlook is too narrow and their prejudices are too bitter to allow them to appreciate the baso treachery to their own kin which their conduct involves.

it would be a waste of time to pour superlatives of denunciation upon the Violent crimes of the I.W.W. in Australia and upon tho anti-national campaign whioh is directly associated with these outrages. Crime, whatever its motive or inspiration, calls for stern repression, but for the defeat in the immediate future of the machinations of the insane revolutionaries who are making themselves heard so blatantly in Australia, and more timidly in this country, we must trust mainly to public common sense. • No one who looks squarely at tho faots can doubt that the agitators who expend themselves in denouncing tho part of their own country in the war and in opposing tho measures necessary_ to carry it to a victorious conclusion are promoting a campaign in favour of national suicide. They are striking at those who ar© fighting to maintain for them the liberty and freedom which they in common with all under tho British Flag enjoy. A small section only of the revolutionaries and anti-compulsionisls are prepared to regard with equanimity the prospect of German victory and domination of their country. Somo of theso feel it necessary to evade tho fact .that their agitation uecessarily involves and contemplates tho bla"k treachery of deserting or leaving inadequately supported tho gallant sold'iers who oppose a. bulwark to ihe enemy, and are preserving their nation from destruction. But if our present and future are secure it is because the vast majority of tho people of Australia and New Zoal&nd arc utter-

ly 'incapable of stooping to sucli [ pitiful degradation as these selfstyled revolutionaries so violently advooafce. That the revolutionaries a'nd anti-national agitators of all grades are engaged at this time in a forlorn hope certainly does not' mean that we can afford to regard their propaganda with confident indifference. The Labour movement m New Zealand does not lack intelligent leaders who realise perfectly well, that the path to reform is open in such countries as Australia and New Zealand; that tho true and; only method of reform is the peaceful exercise of the political and other powers with which the people at large are fully invested; and that the catch-cries and propaganda of the reckless extremists who cumber the Labour movement are potent only to dupe the illinformed, and to, clog the advance of social regeneration and reform. To sane and clear-sighted leaders of the moderate Labour movemeht with which all reasonable people are in sympathy, the present time brings both duty aad opportunity. The revolutionaries in Australia with their criminal associates are not within measurable distance of gaining their, ends, but they' have split the Commonwealth Labour • Party. And though the general Labour situation in this country is less sharply defined, and the activities of the extremists less pronounced, the split, and its consequences are visible hero also. It may bo held that the recent unpleasant experiences in Australia have no real lesson either for the Labour Party or for tho authorities in New Zealand—that the wild anti-everything talk of the irrcooncilables here can be safely treated with tho indifference or contempt hitherto shown to it In face of tho facts it-s docs not soem prudent for either the sane and reasonable seotion of the Labour P,arty or forthose responsible for the national interests to treat the matter lightly.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19161026.2.14

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2912, 26 October 1916, Page 4

Word count
Tapeke kupu
993

The Dominion THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1916. TREASON AND ITS LESSONS Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2912, 26 October 1916, Page 4

The Dominion THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1916. TREASON AND ITS LESSONS Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2912, 26 October 1916, Page 4

Help

Log in or create a Papers Past website account

Use your Papers Past website account to correct newspaper text.

By creating and using this account you agree to our terms of use.

Log in with RealMe®

If you’ve used a RealMe login somewhere else, you can use it here too. If you don’t already have a username and password, just click Log in and you can choose to create one.


Log in again to continue your work

Your session has expired.

Log in again with RealMe®


Alert