Correspondence

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 4, 14 January 1916, 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, —Will you please allow me the privilege of chipping in on the little argument which has sprung up between Mr J. Melling and 1 Pro Bono Publico? ’ I do not intend to say anything on the question of service, because it must be recognised that in a country like New Zealand, which allows almost anyone to land on its shores, whether desirable as residents or not we are bound to get people (very often rejects from the Old Country) with mental obliquities which cause them to see differently to others, and then there are the weak minded, who are led away by the loud voiced ones, who are frequently these undesirable immigrants who are mentally cross-eyed. So it was a foregone conclusion that there would be a few of these unfortunate people objecting to fight. They would probably object to work if they could live without it.

But what struck me was this— Mr Melling is or was, or is reputed to be, a man prominent in a small way among workers and in labour unions, and he, following in the wake of the bigger fish objects to compulsion.

Now the world moves and improves by compulsion. We work because we are compelled to do so by our bodily needs. Quite a number of us are honest and law abiding because we are forced to be so by the fear of punishment. In ordinary social life we are compelled by custom and public opinion to do many things which if left entirely to ourselves we would never do, and indeed a critical investigation of the case would show that almost any good and right thing we do is the result of compulsion, either moral or physical. And our duty to the State is done simply because we can’t help it. Notice, that as soon as the doing of our duty is left to our choice, there are many undutiful ones, as many as 34000 sometimes.

But the ludicrous part of the thing is, that Mr Melling and his brother objectors to compulsion, (it is to be teoped they do not embrace many of the rank and file of labour) are the champion compulsionists of the world. They form a union, and compel all workers at their particular trade to join. They say, of course, that a man is free to join or stand out, as he pleases, but in every award they get a clause inserted which practically says that the man must join or starve.

If an industrial dispute is in progress, they go out on strike to compel the employers to give what they think a fair thing. If a member of their union does not agree that they have a just cause, they still compel him to strike, using physical force when necessary.

If they want to raise money for any object they make a levy, and compel all in their union to pay, irrespective of the individual’s desires. In all their meetings, and from every stump they mount, we hear the constant cry of compulsion. “We have the power to compel, let us use it," is the text on which all their oratory is based. And yet when it comes to service in war time, they object. Even here they talk of compulsion. By strike and general industrial upheaval, they will compel (mark the word) the Government to drop compulsion They are even prepared to sacrifice, not themselves, but the men in the trenches, by stopping ammunition supplies. The catchword of the “Conscription of Wealth” is only a red-herring drawn across the scent for, have we not had conscription of wealth ever since we had government? The Government has the power to levy taxes and if the taxes now levied are not sufficient for the purpose, let them levy more and more until the end is achieved.

Only, don’t let us spend our time at home talking, while our brothers are in the trenches dying—for us. Things are now at such a pass that we can sufely say that he who is not for us is strongly against us, and it is the duty of every true patriot to destroy his country’s enemy, whether at home or abroad.

We are, or should be, all agreed that the men are needed. Let us stop splitting hairs about the way they are to be got, and either get into the conflict or submit with a good grace to compulsion. Yours etc., “ NOT ONE OF THE 34000.”

odd shirkers and cowards, or he wishes to convey that to your readers. Now, Mr Editor, I never mentioned shirker or coward; but at the same time, if the cap fits it can be worn with the greatest pleasure. We all know what Mr Llyod George and Lord Loreburn said, why does he not tell us something we do not know, and not quote other people. I was writing about the 34,000 odd who will not fight. Now, if Mr Melling would take the trouble of making a careful perusal of the Nationl Register, and mark, learn and inwardly digest it, he would find food for thought, and see that the position as revealed there pans out a great deal worse than appears on the sufaoe. Let us just make a comparison of two of the returns. For this purpose I put the single men in two classes, those who are willing to join the forces, and those who are not. That some of the latter are willing to do civil work does not affect the position, they will not fight, and the offer of civil work is only a miserable excuse to evade their duty to the Empire. Among those who are willing to join the forces I find 33,127 without dependants, and 16,320 with dependants, i.e., for every single man with dependants there are more than two without dependants ; but among the Anti-Britisher I find the position quite different, the figures being 16,838 without dependants, and 11,215 with dependants which shows clearly for every ljlj men without dependants there is one man with dependants. This looks like a paltry excuse and the powers that be should enquire closely into every one of these cases. Whereas the 34,000 odd, who will not serve at all should be deprived of civil rights, even the right to do a day’s work for pay. They should have one month to decide, and at the end of that time enlist, or on the other hand the Government should deport them, and forbid their return to the Dominion. Even if the country has to bear the expense, it would be money well spent in ridding the Dominion of such hangers on. Thanking you in anticipation I am., etc. PRO BONO PUBLICO.