A STORMY DEPUTATION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 157, 28 March 1919, Page 7

A STORMY DEPUTATION

ANTI-MILITARISTS IN CHRISTCHURCH

KINDLY WORDS FOR THE GERMANS

Warm words were used by the antimilitarist deputation that interviewed the Hon. G. W. Russell, Minister of Internal Affairs, in Christchurch on Tuesday evening, to plead the case of the imprisoned military- defaulters and to protest against the continuance of the system of Territorial training. Tho members of the deputation denounced "militarism," and some of them said that they would as soon live under the German flag as under the British. The deputation, according to a Christchurch paper, was stated by the speakers to. represent the Labour Representation Committee, the Canterbury Trades and Labour Council, the Women's Institute, and the Women's National League. Mr. If. Hunter, representing the Federation of Labour, stated ; that the workers of New Zealand were astonished to learn of the proposal that had beeu launched for the training of Territorials. They had been led to believe that when the soldiers left New Zealand they were going to fight for freedom, and now tho first thing they had to face on their return was a pernicious system of training. The time had arrived when tho conscientious objectors should be given their freedom.

Mrs. S. Page, speaking on behalf of the Canterbury Women's Institute, stated that they were consistently opposed to militarism, and they . did not want to see the cause which brought Germany down introduced here. With regard to the proposed training system for Territorial, she stated Hint the barracks system, which would come into being, was most degrading to the boys. It was also an insult to the women which they would not stand. (Hear, hear.)

Mr. H.. T. Armstrong, speaking of the conscientious, objector, said there was no reason that he should remain in gaol, unless it was on account of the vimlictiveness of the members of the National Government. (Hear, hear.) The Government, he contended, had displayed cowardice when it had not dealt with tho financial shirker in tho same way. This ,camp System, which it was intended to introduce, would saddle the country with tho very curse they had sent the men to the, front to tight against. The number of conscientious objectors was going to grow, and there would be more gaols in this country at the rate they were going. Every. year more boys would refuse to don the uniform and go into camp. Air. C.. R, N. Macide, who followed several other speakers, ridiculed Colonel Sieeman's proposed system for tho training of Territorials. The very essence of it would crush individuality, and it was going to create a standing Army. He termed it' a dastardly shame that during the first three years of the Defence Act there were 10,0110 prosecutions of young fellows for failing to enrol—young fellows who had never before seen the inside of a court. According to Colonel Sieeman's report, they were going to teach a boy the follies of smoking and drinking, the secret of success in life, and how to take care of his teeth—in camp! (Ironical laughter.)

At this stage, Mr. Charles S. Smith, president of the Christcluuch branch of the New Zealand Socialist Party, declared in a loud voice that men like Mr. Russell were guilty of the foulest and bloodiest murder. He did not care h damn whether lliey took him to prison in the morning, but he would speak on beliall of his three dead nephews. Tho boys had been murdered as though tliey were a "lot of damned rats." . The men who had stayed at home and sent those bovs out to die in their thousands, to his mind, were so disgusting that ho I'.iarvelled at their impudence to walk the streets. (Loud applause.) The Hon. G. W. ltussell, in reply, said that before coming to tho meeting ho had been prepared l'ar some straight talk, but he little thought he would be addressed as he had been by the last cpeakcr..

Mr. Smith: I don't caro for your respectability at all. .

Continuing, the Minister stated that there was no man who detested militarism more than he did. (Cries of "King oli.") Throughout the wliolo of his life he had been opposed to war. He was prepared to join any, peace society. But who could say there' would be no'more wars? "After wliut I have seen," declared Mr. Russell, "—and I speak with n full sense oi' my position as n public man—l intend to preach :i gospel to the people of tliis country of 'lie prepared.'" (Cries of "Shame on you!"). Tlu nation must be prepared to defend itsell. The total number of fit men enlisted in New Zealand and sent into camp was 11V;071. said the AJinis'.er, and if to this number were added Mliti culled up for home service, the total was 124,i07. Of tliis number 92,000 were volunteers and IiiOOO were compulsory enlistments. lie ventured to say that of that 32,000 at least half that number would have volunteered had they nor been compelled, for business and family reasons, to delay offering lor service Mo did. not believe 15,00(1 of the men who went into our

ranks went in compulsorily. (Ironical laughter.) The fiict that, three out of

four men went into the forces as volunteers justified the Govmiment in saying that this great spirit represented the spirit of the nation

With regard to the proposal, to train Territorials in camps, Mr. Russell pointed out that the matter rested with Parliament when it next met., If it were passed then it would be quite open for the succeeding Parliament to repeal it. ! "I am not going to commit mv.self on | matters of this kind, and I would draw your attention to the fact that the Government, as u Government, • acts unitedly," stated the Minister, He also strongly dissented from the statement that the gathering of our men into military camps deteriorated them morally or in any other -way. (Voices: It does.) He also absolutely denied the statement that our men. lost initiative or were made into machines while they were in camp. In this connection there was proof j enough to. the contrary by what happened on the battlefield. Here the New I Zealanders had stood first of all in re-' source and courage and individuality. "Does anybody say that if we had no defence system in preparation, and no British Navy, to come as our guard wo! hliould have the British . over us to-1 day and have ft constitution and de- j mocracy and liberty such as we havo now?" (Voices: Yes, yes.) Proceeding,. Mr. Russell said he re- I lnembered a time before the wni when somebody was overheard to say in Cathedral Square that ho would just as soon be under the German flag. A member of the deputation: Just as soon now. . "What!" demanded Mr. Russell, "aro there people in this room who, after they have read of Germany's record in Belgium and Lille, would say they would as soon live under the German flag as under the British?" (Many cries of "Yes" and "What about Christchurch?") . Mr. H. Jutsum was particularly anxious to record his vote lor the Germans, and expressed a desire that his name be recorded in this direction. Mr. Russell referred to the findings of the Commission of which Lord Brycb was chairman. That Commission had reported that the Germans has cut the feet and hands off Belgian children. Mr. Ensom challenged the truth of this. With regard to the. proposal for the release of the conscientious objectors, Mr. Russell firmly stated, that he would not move one hand's turn to obtain the release of the men at present in prison. The law must take its course. (Shame! Shame'; Hw was prepared to contest his seat in Avon on the action of the National Government, and stand or fall by the verdict.