LABOUR AND DEFENCE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 245, 10 July 1920, Page 8

LABOUR AND DEFENCE

GENERAL RUSSELL'S ADDRESS TO WORKERS. A deputation from the National Dofence League, of which General Russell was tho spokesman, waited upon tho annual conference of the New Zealand Labour Party yesterday. An official report of the proceedings was supplied as followey— General Russell addressed the meeting by favour of the conference. He referred to the objects and aspirations of the National Defence League, and at the conclusion of his remarks a number of questions were asked. The first question was: "Whnt guarantee have we that the forces which tho league proposes to set up shall not bo used or employed against the workers in industrial disputes?" , General Russell replied that he was not in favour of using troops in cases of industrial disputes. The country that did so was quite wrong. He admitted to an iuterjector that he took part against the workers in the 1913 strike, but purely as an, individual. He did not intend to do" so again. Tho General was asked whether he was in favour of tha release of all conscientious objectors, and ho leplied "Yes." In answer to a further question, as to whether he would be prepared publicly to advoeato their release, lie replied: "I will publicly advocate • anything I have advocated fiefore this conference." He was asked' hoiv he himself had treated conscientious obiectors durine tho war. He stated that offTy ono cas? had come directly under his notice. A soldier had Tofused to take part in nn attack upon a forward position. He -directed the commanding officer to give, the cnldier another o.lmice. He himself had talked with the man in ouestion. and ho proposed the man should.have a free hand for six neck ß to look around nnd.reo the suffering of others. After six weeks the man was still of the same opinion, eo lie was returned to the base. On the question of ennitnl punishment. General Russell advocated a revision of the Army List. His own opinion was that in warfare there were certa : n tilings which called for severe punishment. He could not say definile'v whether he was in favour nf the abolition of the death penaltv. He admitted that A.u;tpiV'<i abolished the death penalty, but not so New Zealand. Another question was: "You sav tbnt to preserve peace we must prepare for war. Is not, then, nn unarmed GermaHf n, menace to the peace of the world?" General Russell replied that tho questions were getting too deen for him. An unarmed Germnnv wrmhl 1* a monnee to the pence of the wnrhl. localise it would invito attack from hostile countries-. General Russell refused fo discuss Tiish and Russian affairs. He exnressed tho opinion that tho colonies should hay? n sav in foreign and Tmporial matter*. He did not bntiei-o that a war would ' finish wnr. The only way to finish war ; was to restrict the passions of the in- , dMdunl. and not to promote those pas- , sims which made for'war. '■ The conference did not como to nny ; decision respecting its attitude towards '■ tfto league. ,