MILITARY AND LABOR

Hokitika Guardian, 10 July 1920, Page 3

MILITARY AND LABOR

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, July 9. A deputation from the National Defence League, headed by General Russel, waited upon the Annual Conference of the New Zealand Labour Paitj to-day. An official report of the proceedings was supplied as follows:—Genera I Russell addressed the meeting, by favour or the Conference. He reto the objects and aspirations of the National Defence League, and at the conclusion of the remarks, a number oi questions were asked. The first question was:—“AVhat guarantee have we that the forces which the League proposes to set up shall notin' used or employed against the workers in industrial disputes.” General Russell replied that he was not in favour of using troops in case c Industrial disputes. The country that did so was quito wrong. He, however, admitted to an interjection that ho took part himself against the workers in the 1913 strike, hut > it was purely as an individual. He did not intend to do so again. He was then asked whether lie was in favour of the release of all the conscientious objectors. General Russell replied; “Yes. In asmver to a- further question, as to whether he would be prepared publicly to advocate their release, bo replied:— “T will publicly advocate anything I have advocated beiore this conference. He was asked: How did he himself treat conscientious objectors during the war ? He stated that only case case came directly under his notice—a soldier who had refused to take, part ' n **n attack

upon a forward position. He had dire ; ed the commanding officer to give the soldier another chance. He himself talked with the man in question. He had proposed that the man should have a free hand for six weeks to look arc and see the suffering of -others. After six weeks ,tho man was still of t> • same opinion, so ire was returned to the base. On the question of capital punishment General Russell advocated tile revision of the Army list. His own opinion was (that in warfare there were certain things which called for severe punishment. Ho could not say definitely whether he was in favour of the abolition of the death penalty, but not so in New Zealand. Another question was:—"You say that, to preserve Peace, we must prepare for war? Is not then an unarmed Germany, a menace to the peace of the world?” General Russell replied that the questions were getting too deep for him. An unarmed Germany'would be a menace to the peace of the world. That j was because it would invite attack from i hostile countries. ' | General Russell refused to discuss the I Irish question and also Russian affairs He expressed the opinion that the Colonies should have a say in foreign I and Imperial matters. He did not believe that the late war would finish war. He said tlie only way to finish war was to restrict the passions of the individual, and not to promote those passions which made for war. Tlie Conference did not come to any decision respecting its attitude towards the League.