Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star TUESDAY, SEP. 25th, 1917.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 September 1917, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star TUESDAY, SEP. 25th, 1917.

THE .WEN BEHIND TIIE ARMY. While we bo often canvass the news from the front and look for signs of victory on the battle fronts, there are other quarters where we might also look ior levers to help win the war. One of the most certain places is in the ranks of those behind the army. It is clear that there need not he any fear ; of the army failing to stick it out. I I bat is made palpably plain over and over again. “I am not afraid of the army,” said Mr. Lloyd George recently, “hut tako enro that the spirit of the people behind them is as good as that ; of the army.” Is there a n oto of alarm j here, that something is amiss? It is not so long ago that a noted Belgian j delivered a powerful address in Engj land, and the burden of it was “Hold on—see this issue through to the final j end.” He illustrated his arguments ! by detailing the plight of the. captive . Belgians, shut in on their own territory j served only' with enemy news; and I treated in their own land as serfs. ' Those folk wore sticking it out bravely, satisfied to endure or to die" that in the end their country might live. Is there something wrong that English folk cannot be lectured so? Then there was the British Premier’s speech and injunction to his countrymen not to i drop the blind but keep the windows : wide open and let the sunshine in; let their be joy and gladness, and let tile ! folk sing. These are the injunctions necessary at Homo, and something of the same kind might bo roquisito here, if the people are not nliv eto the situation in time what has happened in this country of laic indicates that the people are in danger as the A Homey-Genera 1 put it Inst week, of being put in straight waistcoats; that the people were not able to lookafter themselves. All sorts of parental control are being forced upon the people, and there is a positive national danger about these restrictions. Mr. Herdman even went so far as to declare

that rebellion might be the outcome of it nfl, and perhaps ha is not far out. We ara getting hack to the curfewage, and if the war lasts hut a little longer all kinds of devices will he hit upon to envelope the people and the country with gloom. New Zealand is enjoying a remarkable reign of prosperity, and throughout tho war has never failed once to help play tho man’s part in tho great embroilment. She offered her men; she gave her ships; she found money lavishly; when conscription became necessary slio took tho step boldly- ; when loans were required she loosed her purse strings freely. Despite this robustness the killjoys d«clar ed something was wrong with the national life, and there much be curtailment a'nd restrictions upon the in dividual. If he wants pleasures, lot him take them more sadly. If he wishes to drive dull care away, place us many difficulties as possible in his wav of doing so. Tf he wishes to travel whether on business or ploasuro, make it more costly, and more troublesome for him. If he wants comfort, maice him pa.v for it, and aiway's koep i«u with the’ pinpricks. We are going the right way to create a discontented nation. Thousands of people are unjustly hit over the. hotel hours, and the reduction of racing, for instance, for what? 'To please those folk who believe in making a nation straight laced, long-faced and poor milk and water citizens who go to make up the unfortunate weaklings who are swayed by vapouring* of the killjoy party. It w o re time to call a halt, and consider where this line of intolerance is going to lead our young country. Apart from the deliberate break of contract with the licensed victuallers, which will stand to the disgrace and discredit of our Parliament for all time, this is the national aspect to be considered hv the .people as a whole. Although they desired for themselves at the ballot box what they wished m this matter others have elected to ignore that mandate and impose their own sweet will. Those who love liberty and feel that they can take care ol , them selves without restrictive lcgisl.i j tion will resent this infringement of electoral rights. We shall quite expect the soldieus to resent the proposed order of things in no unmistakable manner. The law makers are prepared to let these men go forth to fight for the defence of the makers of the law, but before he goes the soldier must submit to the wishes of the precious law-mak-ers, and deny himself pleasures and companionship, which arc surely thefirst right of every decent living citizen. A soldier must attend strictly to his drill and duty all day, and when the task is done he must submit to the restrictions or this personal liberty imposed by these folks who take a delight in curtailing individual rights If we are. to fiavo the spirit within the men at the front as with tho men behind the army, wo must treat the people as men, and not children, 'llmv have to do their common round of duty end if from that is detracted the pleasures of life that, they nro used to enjoy a sense a wrong will he. felt, and the outcome will not be for the benefit ■>f the country we live in.