Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24th, 1917. THE WEEK.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 November 1917, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24th, 1917. THE WEEK.

Atjstraijax news indicates that the conscription campaign is now in full blast. There will be much speeulatio n as to the probable result of the polling on December 20th. A Sydney writer supplies some interesting notes on the great event all Australia is facing. He says:—On the face of it, it looks as if the Government’s latest proposal will certainly be carried, but there are influences at work beneath the surface which may have a profound effect on the poll. The scheme is simple enough. The Commonwealth is asked to send away 7000 men per month, and, if any State fails to make up its quota by voluntary enlistment, the number will be made up compulsorily from among the eligible single men. The exemptions include:—Physically unfit, Magistrates, judges, and ministers of religion, essential labour, conscientious objectors (from combatant services) oases of undue hardship, one eligible in a family, families which have a member at the front will not be balloted for uni til after those families not represented have been balloted. 'Hie scheme will not affect married men. When it is remembered that, beyond doubt the 50,000 votes which defeated the other conscription proposal came from young married men and their wives who feared the future, it looks as if the present scheme ought to go through easily. But suspicion jof, and anger with, Mr. Hughes and his curious tricky ways are factors to he reckoned with.

TTktu-; are some of the things which have particularly angered the people:—Mr. Hughes refused to lake the referendum on a Saturday, although elections and refcrendums have been held in the country for a long time past on Saturdays, as a matter of policy. Mr. Hughes closed the rolls and issued the writs at a few hours’ notice thus preventing a great many workers, who have shifted their abode as the result of the recent labour upheaval. from getting on the rolls; The

question, is to bo submitted lo the voters in thi a unusual form: “Are you in favour of the proposal of the Commonwealth Government for reinforcing the Australian Imperial Forces overseas?” The objection to the latter is that it will be so easy for the Government to say that the voter voted for one thing, while the voter was distinctly of tho opinion that the Government “proposal” meant something different. The one bright spot in the new de- | velopment is the very unexpected an- [ nouneement by Mr. Hughes that bis National Government “must have the nower they ask for, and that they cannot and would not attempt to govern the country without it.” This disposes of one of the most potent source s of irritation against the Government—namely that the professional politicians were asking men Lo risk their lives, and were yet- themselves afraid to risk their jobs. The campaign is getting under way, and it is impossible to say bow it will develop or whether the same bitterness will be imparted to it. Much depends on the “No” organisation of the Political Labour League—and the T’.L.L. exhausted and with all its reserves for the moment used up, is still sitting about tending the severe injuries it received in the late lamented strike. Extremist Labour from that severe mauling .

It is a true saving to repeat that the war .i s destined to revolutionize the world by direct and indirect issues. Sir Henry Luck, the doyen of London correspondents writing upon such a text quite recently, wont on to say: One of the issues, will, I fancy be the permanent declension of British naval supremacy. Hitherto throughout the centuries, this small island, of Britain which drawn to a: scale on a map of the world, is infinitesimal in area, lias maintained its supremacy. But during the last three years the science and practice of war have undergone radical changes. The battlefield has been transferred from land and sea to the sky above the earth and the waters that surround it. As has been shown in lamentable instances the most formidable men-of-war have no chance against the submarine, whilst enemy aeroplanes, making naught o| our protecting girdle of battleships in the channel and the North Sea, raid our towns. In the great struggle on the western frontier of France aero-' planes have superseded the use of cavalry attacking the enemy in the flank and rear, disorganising the bestlaid schemes of manoeuvre. These elements of warfare were unknown in earlier international conflicts. They are still in tlieir infancy, capable of untold developments. As it is, they each play a leading part in the immense battleline whether on land or sea. Weighty authorities are of opinion that in future wars, Continental battles will he fought in the air, naval encounters taking place in the depths of the sea. Tf thi s latter forecast prove to he correct Dreadnoughts will he at a discount. Victory will cling not to the banners of the nation which has the most formidable fleet, hut to one tvliicli possesses the largest/ number pH submarines, upon whose build and equipment the latest resources of civilisation have been lavished. A consolatory refleetio n is found in the certainty that after the re-establishment of peace there will he no more war. 3lankind lias had enough to suffice it for a century.

The correspondent who wrote in this paper yesterday on political issues supplied a reminder that politics generally are in the melting pot, as a result of the war. Party politics, for the time being are dormant, and to that extent the correspondent was in error in selecting one political party more than another for any bla'mo in respect to domestic legislation. Tf we take the National Government h.v and large, it must he admitted it has failed deplorably as affecting domestic matters, for the reason that the great opportunity it has had by reason of its united backing has not, keeping step with its war work, been as bold and fearless in its legislative actions. The winning of the war, however, is the first essential for all political parties ho. their shibboleths what they may. And under this heading the National Government has to it s credit the Military Service Act, which has enabled New Zealand to do its duty right 'through the war, not only to the cause of civilisation and the Empire, hut also to the gallants who have laid down their lives for the common defence of New Zealand. It must be remembered that the National Government exists because of the war onlv. Tt is a time for strenuous action to get things done which are of immediate national consequence. When thi l ' duty is performed 'the present Government will he dissolved, and in the reign of peace—which must he the peace the Empire is fighting for —all things will he possible. The war has made changes in public thought which will prompt action before undreamt of. Tho Radicals in Parliament, to what over party they belong, will have their chance, butt the war must he ended victoriously first.

Tub correspondent plumes himself evidently ns one of the Political Labour Party, because he deludes himself that the members in Parliament of that Party only raised their voices for the masses. Tie is notoriously wrong in these false impressions, because the Independent Labour members, several Liberals, and a sprinkling of Reformers have not been unmindful to the dominion needs, and by voice and action they have sought legislative enactment to meet the stringency arising. The gentleman who has just taken Cabinet rank is himself a notable example of an earnest worker for those ameliorating conditions bound with the question of the cost of living. Mr. Wilford has been ever a prominent Liberal, and of late was the unofficial leader of the House, outside the National Government', which sought to press upon Parliament, time and again, the needs for certain domestic reforms uppermost in their minds. Wo cannot help thinking that the Political Labour Party is on on tirely wrong line s in endeavouring to force party beliefs into prominence at this stage. The Independent Labour members along with the Radical Liberals and Reformers, take the more I sensible course of freely discussing the l domestic problems as they arise, but not for mere party advantage seeking to create divisions unfavourable to national government as directed by the fusion of parties. This is the idealist’s 1

time the poet spoke of when all must ho for State, and none for Party. In other words it is a time when patriotism makes its demand in politics as elsewhere, and local feeling must he suppressed for the national good. To that extent the Political Labour Party is out of place in seeking to force itself unduly at this stage.