CORRESPONDENCE.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 21 May 1913, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

[Our correspondents' opinions arc their own; tho responsibility of editorial ones makes sufficient ballast for the editor's' shoulders.] "CONSCRIPTION." (To the Editor). iSir,—The most important reasons against conscription from the point of view of tin , democracy of any country, not alone of New Zealand, lie just below the surface of present talk, and are hardly ever mentioned. The beautiful word "patriotism" tin whole world over is like a gilt cloth which may he made to cover a multitude of other "isms," ranging from "parasitism" to "reactionism," and treachery of tho common working people. Conditions which would foster progress are a free and independent minded people, who would look with good-humoured indifferonce on the myths and gimeracks i>l a barbarous past, having free seculai education and fair opportunities o! life. .But this is an atmosphere in which conservatism and privilege cannot thrive. Tdeal conditions foi Torydom and its servile, cringing state, lay in keeping the people in fear of the gun—mainly by military despotism and repressive laws on thiV earthly sphere, and, through organised theology, keep them in fear o' eternal white heat in the next world To train a country's youth into n measure of self-restraint for thr general good is one thing; to break its free spirit into cringing subjection to an exploiting class is another thing. Tlie advance of democracy ir these southern lands is due mainly to the free and independent character of its youth, and to its comparative freedom from all superstitious, fear 1 and cringing of older lands. But snys the Torv: "These fellows are too free and independent. LooV how those labour parties grow. V won't do. Where do we come in?'" Conscription will crush thcii free am' exhilarating spirit. Then we can bang their trade unions about a bit. We want them to bow humbly and cringe to us. we, tho superior person. Our Rood and faithful frionrl the theologian will help us. for lu knows that we stand or fall together. Ho will give them a rosnry and koei •hem good." Tin's will make i\v hitherto free and independent Australasian man into a fit and proper "citizen" for the coming servile -t.nto. Rut. there are other force* ■•t work and may yet escape thnt.T am, etc., H. LTCOER.