ANTI-ISM

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3107, 11 June 1917, Page 6

ANTI-ISM

Sir,—Our worthy Mayor and Parliamentary representative i'or Wellington liast are laying themselves open for a lot of criticism aud probably loss of prestigu by their unti-isin. These gentlemen were elected to their respective positions to guard our freedom! There are many citizens of this city—and every other part of tho world—who never bother theniselves about politics until tho enacting of some law hitri them personally, and then they wonder how it happened. If sufficiently hard hit they may start thinking, probably to tie detriment of these gentlemen's positions. Their latest "aiiti" is a six o'clock closing, with a "win-the-war" basis and the fallacy of extravagance. Before tackling these gentlemen's policy from a serious point it might be as well to remind them that wo aro not all commercial travellers—a splendid lot of , fellows who can hardly claim to be 6eriously affected—or people with houses sufficiently commodious and banking accounts strong enough to enable us to keep an adequate cellar, a "square-face" beiiig the limit of many. The policy of the conveners of the recent Town Hall meeting in which our representatives figured so ingloriously, was alleged to be to "win the war," the daily toiler must be cut off from his evening libations. This may fairly be termed "absurdity in excelsis." There is an object in their propaganda, but "win the war" is a sorry substitute for the primary object. If our weak brethren must be protected, there are plenty prison warders I'or the job, without visiting the ems of the weak brothers on their brethren. That portion of the resolution "to reduce to a minimum unnecessary expenditure" is unsound. Is there any logician in or out of New Zealand who is prepared to defend the etatement "that an accumulated eavinpr of money by the belligerent workers engaged in this war tan be a factor in winning the war? Most students of economy and eonio of our Parliamentary Ministers are aware of the fact that the real wealth of a nation is its productivity. Gold, as an economic factor, is a. useful means of exchange so long as exchange is possible, but when exchange is cut off gold finds its level. Our ' representatives might with more glory to themselves use their influence to educate these "wordy" killjoys in the'true meaning of freedom, for which our brave lade arc now fighting, ana as guardians of which they were elected to their respective positions. The man wiio takes stimulants in moderation knows its value to himself much more than the theorist who boasts that he has never tried it. Eepression cannot make us virtuous. For example, Bismarck's repressive law in Germany against trades unions reanlted in a much wider Socialism—and some people think that the destruction o{ this sect in Germany was the prune factor in Germany ennneerin? the war, as the growing Socialist representation in tho Reichstag was undoubtedly a menace to plutocracy. Mr Morison, £.C. stated at the same meeting that anti-shouting was a hideous faiiure To use Prussian methods to "win the war" we must be Prussianised in the process. . ~"■ ■V word to the people wno will feel the effect of this repressive law. If this law should pass, and there does not seem anr reason to doubt its passing, please do" not blame the people you elected to safeguard your freedom, lour vote is a commodity for which you' may exact at least a promise. As you have failed in this respect, it is np to you to swallow your medicine, and think next time.-I al " J etc., QTJO I?ATA VOCANT . Juno 9, 101"-