NATIONAL CONSCRIPTION

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 193, 4 May 1918, Page 8

NATIONAL CONSCRIPTION

Sir,—lt seems to me that the only course now open to tho Imperial authorities, when the safety of the Empire is in deadly peril, is to exercise one of the maxims of Imperial policy—namely, where it is a matter of Imperial policy or coucorn, the British Parliament will legislate. This rule wos exercised in 1870, under the Foreign Enlistment Act, and there should surely be 110 reason why, in such a perilous emergency as the present, the British Parliament should not pa« an Act imposing- conscription throughout the Empire. If this were done, Australia would be saved tho mortification that she must inevitably suffer, if she pursues her present, chaotic policy till the war is over. Australia is not unpatriotic, and do».; not deserve tho dishonour that has been put upon her bv her politicians. As ft matter of fact, when nil the circumstances are considered, I think that Australia did ably well to poll so heavily for conscription, and, given similar circumstances, I do not believe that any other dependency of Great Britain would have done any better, for, after all, patriotism, like courage, is not a geographical quantity. It would also appear that there is not the remotest hopo of the full /strength of the Empire being brought to boar on I lie enemy until our politicians make way for ft military despotism, perhaps on the Continental model. In other words, until wo reverse our ancient rule, and for the time being, as in thu case of Lord Kitchener in India, subordinate (he civil to the military power. Such a power would soon save Australia from her politicians, and also bring the other recalcitrant members of tbe Empire quickly to the mark. Better the (lungers of a military despotism than tho perpetual blunders and recriminations of political demagogues. Fortunately for New Zealand, we have a couple of leaders who have Imperial vision, but it is to be hoped that 1 hey will not exhaust their . willing mount before the straight is entered. The Empire should, for the sako of future tranquility, aim as nearly as possible at equality of sacrifice, and m nvy opinion, this could be attained only uimer ft system of conscription. -fam, etc., J. E. RAIIILL. Hamilton, May 1, 19 18 '