MISDIRECTED PATRIOTISM

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3171, 23 August 1917, Page 6

MISDIRECTED PATRIOTISM

Sir,—lt seems to me that, what the whole country is suffering from at the present time is hysterical patriotism, to the utter disregard of common sense. New Zealand has proved to the world, since the war began, that there is no more patriotic country in the Empire, but unfortunately it has allowed itself to be carried away by its intenso patriotism to the detriment of its common sense and the best interests of the Empire and the Dominion. The height of patriotism, "and what we are all striving for," is to do all we can for the Empire. The question is how best to do it. There is no more loyal and patriotic portion.of the community than the agriculturists, but they are obsessed with the one idea (let us spend outlast shilling and our last man), to the exclusion of all others. Sir James Allen, in an appeal to tho fnrmers in tho "Weekly Press" of March 21, last, told thorn that it was essential to keep their farms up to their full stick and graingrowing capacity, and not allow their patriotic sensitiveness to intorfere with their asking for exemption for their farm larfourers when n'ece?sary. The Hon. "IV. Mac' Donald has implored the farmers to grow 250,000 acres of wheat, but by, the indiscriminate conscription of farm labour, the Government has made it impossible for the farmers to do so. Unfortunately,, few of tho Ministers and tho general public have any real knowledge of farmingj conditions, and imagine that anyone is good enough for a farm labourer, whereas the bulk of farming operations can only bo done by skilled labour. Ploughing, drilling, reaping, and stacking can only bo learned by years of experience and practice, and is essentially skilled labour. T. have, in letters to the Press, pointed out fully the disaster that would cnsuo from the depletion of farm labour, and many of the leading papers have published editorials in the same strain, but with no result, and the conscription of farm labour still goes on. Now, the peculiar part of the thing is that the majority of the farmers will mako no protest. At the Farmers' Union Conference I proposed a motion that it was essential that no more men should bo taken from the agricultural and pastoral industries. This was promptly thrown out by a: majority of ton. Nov, why i

was this? Simply that in the first place the fanners were afraid they would be called unpatriotic. No matter how much you point out to them the absolute necessity (as Sir James Allen' has done) that the production of the country should be kept up to its full capacity, you are met with the same cry, "Oh, we shall be called unpatriotic." Then, again, there is always a section who always look on matters from a purely parochial point of view, and take no interest in any matter which does not touch their own district. Hence the apathy shown, by those who are graziers in all matters appertaining to cropping. Sir Joseph Ward is reported to have stated in the House shortly after it met that the time had come when it would seriously have to bo considered whether it would be advisable not to send any more men, and conserve our man-power for increased production. Now, I should liko hero to state that I have been accused of having stated that I considered no more men should be sent to EnglandTo this I ,give my most emphatic denial. I have never said it, "either verbai'y or in writing," as 1 have always considered that was a question for tiw Government and the. Imperial authorities to decide. But I have stated, and stato now again most emphatically, that tho policy of indiscriminate conscription generally, and the denudation of tha country of farm labourers in particular can only be productive of the most Disastrous results. Practically the vrhola of the agricultural and pastoral labour .of-the First Division of inilit'Jjy age has been taken, with the result tnat there will not bo- half the acreage in crop this year as last. ' In Marlborough 1 knowit is so, and I do not think it is. any better in Canterbury and further south. I personallv promised Mr. Frosilck, of the Efficiency Board, I would put in my usual quantity of white crop (-100 acres), but owing to tho dearth of farm labour, I have only as yet sown 50 acres, and the same sort of thing obtains everywhere in Marlborough. There is also a very serious feeling of anxiety that it will be difficult to find men for reaping and stacking at harvest time. Labour should have been organised years ago, as lias been dono in Britain, France, and Germany. Britain made the same mistake as we have done in regard to essential labour, but owing to ' their proximity to the front could rectify it. Our mistake is irrevocable. What tho result of this short-sightedness will be can only be revealed in the future, but there can be no question but that tho economic upheaval which mus.t ' ensue, will bo most disastrous tp the Dominion. How far this state of things can. yet bo modified is a matter for the Government to decide. President Wilson, on April 15 last, in an address to the United States people, states: "Our industries, on the farms, in the shipyards, in the mines, in the factories, must be made more proline .and more efficient than ever, and that they must: bo more economically managed and better adapted to the particular requirements of our task than they have been; and those who devote their thought and their energy to these things will be serving the country and conducting the. fight for peace and freedom just as truly and just as effectively as the men on the. battlefield or in the trenches. Thousands, nay," hundreds of thousands of mea otherwise liable to military service wilL of right and of necessity be excused from that service and assigned to the" fundamental, sustaining work of the fiolds_and factories and mines, and they will be as much part of the great patriotic forces of the nation as the/inen under fire. I take the-liberty, therefore, of address ing this word to the farmers of the country, and to all frho work on the farms: The supreme need of our own natioa and with the nations with which we are co-operating is an abundance of supplies, and especially of foodstuffs. The importance .of an adequate food supply, especially for the present year, ia superlative. Without abundant food, alike for the armies and the peoples now at war, the whole great enterprise upon which, we have .embarked will break down and fail. Upon tho fanners of this country, therefore, in largo measure rests the ft-.ta 6f tho war and the fate of the natbns." Evory nation in the war has organised its labour. Now Zealand, however, hag the unenviable distinction of carrying on her share of the war with an utter .dis-i regard of the economic conditions of fiie country. No discrimination has been used as to what men should be called up or retained. It is true an appeal to the Military Service Board is allowed, but 'the mode of procedure is so complicated and difficult, and the Military Service Board so antagonistic to exemptions, that it is to all intents and purposes of no, practical avail. The National Efficiency Board is an admirablo Institution, and has done, an enormous amount of work gratuitously, but its labours .seem to have been nullified by the antagonism of the Military Service Board, and the Government and tho country is kept in'utter ignorance of what it has done, and apparently its recommendations have been ignored. It is time, therefore, that our legislators snould wake up and realise to what an, abyss of economic disaster the country is fast drifting. Use common' sense. Thoroughly organise the labour of tha country, exempt from conscription labour required for the essential industries, especially farm libour. It is no good saying that exemption will be granted if applied for, the process is too laborious and slow. In the agricultural and pastoral industry nothing will be of any use, but to take the bull by the horns and not only not call up any more agricultural and pastoral labour, but givo all those already called up and in camp in the Dominion leave sine/die as long as they are occupied in tho'se pursuits, —I am, etc., H. D. VAVASOUR. Ugbrooke, Blenheim. August' 21,, 1917.

VICTORY AND PEACE Sir,—The war aspects on all the battle fronts points to an Allied victory, and tho noxt few months will be in all likelihood the 'most momentous to us as a nation that we have ever, experienced. The final stage of the war cannot be far distant. The magnitude of the task before us can hardly be over-estimated. The issues are of the gravest character. The fate of the Empire is at stake. The cause of righteousness and peace in the world i 9 involved in tho terrific struggle. There, will, and must be, a tremendous effort; for supremacy by all the combatants in, every field of action. Victory to tho Germans would mean ruin and disaster to Europe. Success ( +o the arms of the Allies, on the contrary, will bring permanent peace in Europe and freedom to the lesser nationß. A new era of prosperity will dawn, and the life of tha nations, great and small, will broaden and deepep, both in spiritual and ma' terial things. In faith and hope, we aro called unon as a people from all parts of the Empire to bestir ourselves and put every ounce of our strength into tho conflict. It is high time that frivolity and follv ceased. "We have to brace ourselves like men, and realise that we aro confronted by a situation that will tax every nerve and power to. bring ns through. The Empire is/mmistakably on, its trial. The time is 'rapidly approach, ing when the decision will be for or against us. Then peace, brongh. Abo vfJ bv the Alli&d arms, so well described n the following verses by a n°n- con V £ the field of war. Then., can be no peace, based upon cnomy-insnirert terms. "M bv the lily flag of France. AtwVTfilr'« warl kc son* m array, 1 While "nsJia-s mighty hosts g o thundermu To "hurl the Hunnish monster from the lion with his fangs laid Disloyal cubs close marshalled by hia TTi, Navv floats in stately • grace, Th™ Allies* i<"« 1-ests guard ° Cr ° CC wide. "Then only shall the angel song of peace Be heard throughout the world ol strife Gods, shorn of earthlj S»a.ll"br>w submissivo to tho -destine* 'fate." I am, etc.. EMPIRE VETERAN.