CORRESPONDENCE.

Hutt News, Volume 2, Issue 13, 22 August 1929, Page 8

CORRESPONDENCE.

MILITAEY TRAUSTING.

(To the Editor)

Sir,—Your recent correspondents, "•Now Zealand" and "Fro Patria," evidently take a very small view of this little bit of tlirf called "Mother Earth." Tor instance '' New Zcalander"_.says anvonc who is opposed to military training should get out, or in jother words these "shirkers'"? should get off the earth. Being a plain human being landed on this earth, through r-o fault of my own, I consider that I have a natural right to stop right here if I choose or go to any other part of the Globe if I please to do so. Also I have as much right to toe here as your correspondents, although I hold different to them. If New Zealander and a few more of your alleged patriots will take a broader view of world conditions they -would probably find themselves amongst these so-called shirkers. The result of their investigations would be this, viz: The masse* of the people in this or any other country are struggling all the time dor the means of an existence, while perhaps one fifth of the people wax fat exploiting the masses, The bulk of the people in this or any other country have nothing to gain and everything to lose by war or preparation for war. Preparation for war means that their bread and butter will be taxed to the "utmost and another war will mean world bankruptcy, or in other words the masses will be taxed out of existence. "New Zealander" says: The greatest safeguard against war is a "strong army. Will he please explain why the strong armies of Germany, Russia and many other nations, were no safeguard against war in 1914. This moonshine about being prepared for war prevents war is an absolute washout, and the public are waking up to the fact, that taxation for same, means utter stagnation of industryand starvation. The present stagnation and high cost of living is due to these selfstyled "patriots" who (have not only taxed the present generation, but those who are to come after us for the next two hundred years, It is these "patriots" who should have a little colony of their own, otherwise unborn generations for the next thousand years will be mortgaged to the breaking point by these .= military "cranks." What is -wanted is a general disarmourment amongst the nations and a better distribution of wealth, so that out people can have the very necessary things of- life which keep body and soul together. It is about time these would Jbe patriots showed a little true patriotism by trying to cut down taxation and devise a system whereas their fellow countrymen will get three meals a day and a bed. "Pro Patria" speaks about Japan being likely to invade these shores. That is an old bogey so as to bolster up the need for spending millions in defence of our hard up population. If we listen to this nonsense it will not be the Japs that will take this country, it will be the London Jews. —I am etc., TRUE PATRIOT.

(To the Editor)

Sir, —I would like through you to ask of "Hut Presbyterian," who wrote in your paper last week, one questionHe says: "It is certain that an overwhelming majority of Presbyterians favour compulsory military training service.-" .1 would like to ask him, sir, can he give, and will he. please give us who have read -his letter, his logical proof substantiating that statement. It is useless making an extravagant statement if proof is not forthcoming, so I would appreciate it if "Hutt Presbyterian" would oblige us with his proof from the facts, of his "overwhelming majority. ''

Another point immediately arises out of that last, and it is this: because the majority -hold a certain opinion does that, make the opinion morally right? ALL the people at one time thought the world was flat; but that opinion did not make their assertion scientifically correct. Again, the majority of the people at one time thought that all old, povertj 1" stricken women were witches; but did that make their opinion morally right? I submit sir, that the argument 'relying on a majority rule has no weight in judging of the nioijality of an action. ißut, sirf, I would greatly appreciate it if "Hutt Presbyterian" would oblige your readers with t-he proof of his asser-tion.-^-I am etc., - Q.E.D.