Correspondence

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 4, 24 December 1915, Page 3

Correspondence

WHILEit is our endeavour to give correspondents every facility for the free expression of their opinion, it should be borne in mind that the views expressed do not, necessarily, reflect the opinions of the Editor.

TO THE EDITOR,

Sir, —I read in your last issue of the PRESS a letter signed by Mr J. Melling re the report of the case against conscription. It appears to me that Mr Melling is trying to impress upon your readers that the account of the meeting was not correct. In the first place he mentions a broad - minded (?) man who would not buy the literature that was on sale. The party certainly’saidthat he did notwish to read it, he had already read a lot of that class of matter, and furthur stated that he wanted his (Mr Thorn’s), individual opinion, not other peoples as to who commenced the war, and then asked if he admitted that Germany had done so, and he distinctly answered “ No.” As regards the 34,000 odd, who had declined to take any part in assisting the Empire, these are in a minority by 75,000 as shown by the registration cards. There are 109,000 odd prepared to help the Empire, and these same worthy citizens of the Dominion think that in all cases in a democratic country, a majority should rule. Then if the 34,000 are not made to face the music, there is no democracy in the Dominion. As regards the motion, it was certainly dropped. Again Mr Melling is trying to throw dust in the eyes of the people, by stating that it was adjourned on account of the lateness of the evening. I notice he is careful not to mention the amendment that was moved, and no doubt Mr Thorn saw that there were rocks ahead between the two social parties at the meeting, and thought it advisable to drop both the original motion and the amendment, as he did not want them to be divided on a matter they are trying, or supposing to father. In conclusion, I would suggest that such men and meetings should be prohibited by law, when they give it from the platform that they will not go war, it is practically telling others to do likewise. The Government should veto them, because it is detrimental to both voluntary and conscription service. These men are no good to the Empire, for if they are not with us, they consequently must be against us, and the only thing they can honestly do is to take their “ hook,” and throw in their lot with the other side, and see if they will treat them any better than the British do. “Is it fair that the pick of the Dominion should give itself for King and country, while these who call themselves men, stop at home in safety, and become the fathers of the future generation ? ” No doubt it would be interesting for the many if time will permit them (D.Y.), to be able to look back and see the state of affairs under suoh conditions. I am, etc. PRO BONO PUBLICO.