Garnisheement of Wages For refusing to be Conscripts.

Industrial Unionist, Volume 1, Issue 7, 1 August 1913, Page 4

Garnisheement of Wages For refusing to be Conscripts.

On May 28th a batch of territorial defaulters, including myself, appeared before His ‘‘Worship’ Mr. Cutten at the Auckland Police Court. Of course, the usual “ justice” (?) was meted out to us, and it was very evident that our strong opposition to this “ murderous and barbaric conspiracy” had excited the wrath of the authorities and representatives of Capitalism (the orders of which they were then executing), by the despotic manner in which we were treated. When asked as to what I had to say I very briefly replied that I opposed militarism on principle, but as I knew that I would be given no credit for what I may say as far as they were concerned, I therefore informed His Worship that “it would be useless anchoring an utterance in the breast of an unjust court.” Next day the capitalistic press had a few cheap sneers at my remarks, and misrepresented me to have said that I could no longer live up to my principle. Of course this is to be expected. They have issued to my employer an “ Attachment Order,” so that my wages may be garnished to pay the fine in order to satisfy their lust for greed. Are the workers going to stand this ? Are they going to allow their very means of existence to be taken from them 1 If they are against this tyranny it is up to them to unite for action. Actions speak louder than words! Therefore we want as many militants as possible to join the conscript ranks- A sufficient application of “ Direct Action” and Sabotage both inside and outside the ranks, together with industrial propaganda, should very soon have the desired effect. Now is the time for action! Who will be first to act 1 —L.W.