ALL WILL BE IN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20125, 20 December 1939, Page 13

ALL WILL BE IN

COMMON RULE

RESOURCES IN WAR PROMISE BY MINISTER REPLY TO HECKLERS CONSCRIPTION ISSUE (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. Sharp cross-talk between the Minister of Lands, the Hon. F. Langstone, and a small section of an audience he addressed at the Trades Hall last night occurred when the issue of conscription was raised in a question. The meeting, which consisted of representatives of the Auckland Labour Representation Committee and the Auckland Trades Council, was generally quiet, but a dissatisfied section made itself heard when the question ol' conscription and a referendum on it was raised. What the dissentients lacked in numbers they made up for in loudness of voice and freedom of expression.

A measure of criticism was hurled at the Minister, who was accused ol being “as bad as Semple” and lie was quick to return the compliment >n a few hastily but well-chosen words. A questioner asked the Minister whether the ■Government would take a referendum on the question of conscription if the appeal for volunteers for the Second Echelon of the Special New Zealand Military Force failed. “Answer the Question” “Great Britain can live without us and we cannot live without her,”, the Minister began. Voices: Come on. Answer the question. No hedging. The Minister: If there is going to be conscription there is going to be conscription of wealth. It will meat, that you and I will be on soldiers rations and soldiers' pay and if it is going to be that it will be the greatest step forward to collective socialism, because when it is over the psychology will have been established.

"If there are not enough volunteers for the next echelon and we have to take strong measures, it will be 100 per cent.” the Minister added. "Everyone will be in it.

“There will be one common rule and regimentation and the greatest opponents to it will be the capitalists and Communists.”

Referendum Query

A Voice: What we want to know is this: Are we going to have a referendum before conscription'/ The Minister: We have been elected. A referendum was taken at the last election.

Voices: No. Not on conscription.

Mr. Langstone: It would be a matter governed by circumstances. We stand pledged to support the programme that has been laid down. A Voice: Will you take referendum or won’t you?

The Minister referred to the importance of winning the war and mentioned the term “communist ” This brought cries of "You’re as bad as Semple” and “Listen to abuse.” from one or two of his most persistent questioners. A brief lull, perhaps for breath, was put to full advantage by the chairman, who promptly called for a vote ol thanks to the Minister. A vote of thanks and of support for the Government was carried with one or two dissentient voices. Those who voted against the motion did not accept an offer by the chairman to have their names recorded m the minutes of the meeting. *