National Peace Council

Levin Daily Chronicle, 27 March 1917, Page 2

National Peace Council

UOUi'-H TO MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT. The following letter lias been sent to New Zealand members of Parliament by The National Peace Council, Christchurch, under date of 17th March : Sir,—The Imperial Conference now definitely decided upon is, according to the statement of Mr Lloyd George, not to be an ordinary formal conference, but it is to sit as an executive cabinet of the empire; to this conference representatives of all the oversea selfgoverning dominions are invited. The importance of swell a gathering is manifest seeing that it will have to deal with matters vitally affecting the interests of the world. It is not yet made clear whether the decisions of tliis foody are to be binding upon the countries represented, but the use of the word "executive" would point to such being the case. Were such the intention of'the promoters a very serious departure from past usage would be made, and a dangerous precedent set up. But whether or not this be the intention, we submit that 110 conference cr.ll be morally or legally binding upon self-governing dominions unless certain conditions are toeing observed. T)i order to validate.the proceeding;'-; of any such conference tlio people of each country-must have agreed to the conference, and must have had a voice in the selection of their representatives. No delegates can represent New Zealand. instance, unless sent by the direct vote of the people, and we ■ emphatically protest against the assumption of authority for any policy emanating from this conference. Wo further regard it as the veriest folly for this handful of practically .self-appointed agents, at t-.us time of panic and obscurantism, 'o assume to originate and organize any far-reaching policy for the future governance of the British nations. "We have only to recall the complete failure of the Hon. W. M. Hughes, in relation to the position in Australia in convection with the great conscription issue in order to be filled with alarm at any similar attempt, on the part of our statesmen to pretend to represent us 11s before having ascertained our views. Wo pretest that there is more danger t n our future wrll-being in those things that may he done in a hurry now, by these unauthorized agents, than in a policy of quietly waiting for the natural readjustment of the ensuing time of peace. With regard to the possible terms of peace the people are not and have not been allowed to discuss them. Mr Massey is as competent as atay other private citizen, and 110 more competent to tell the conference, as he has told the world that the people of New Zealand would not agree to the handing back of the Samoan Islands at the end of the war. That question lias not f'i-cus-od here, and such acquisition, though in itself trivial, would be most vicious in principle and would heavily discount the earlier declaration of the British Government that this. was not a war of territorial - aggrandizement. We would further point out insofar as concerns questions that might he submitted for decision at this British Cabinet Conference, that it is rf the utmost importance that such matters should receive the fullest att?nt:on from everyone everywhere; nevertheless: I, The people of New Zealand have • had no such questions put before them by their Government or Parliament; ' ~ ••, y ; 2. 011 the contrary public-spirited ' citizens, seeking enlightenment by publicly discussing Government policy. ' have been summarily sentenced to terms of imprisonment (in many cases ■ for twelve months) and a number are I now held iu gaol pending the, long-de-layod sitting of the Court of Appeal. Further than this the abolition (under the War Regulations Act) of the right of accused persons to trial by. jury for alleged seditious offences and the deniaf of bail pending trial or _ appeal, place all public men, who are political opnoneiits of the Mnisters of the State, in 'danger of like treatment, should they utter their criticisms. 3 That thus, and by means of. Ministerial regulations, and press and Government censorship, public discussion and debate of matters of the greatest moment have been checked, where not expressly forbidden everywhere in the Dominion, widespread knowledge on the matters involved has been made impossible and the false passes for true; thus being designed to stop any demonstration by the people in opposition to the Government policy. 4. —That the postponement of the

yen oral election for twelve months s?riously handicapped the immediate ■popular expression of opinion' by the vote of the people, on any policy of Parliament. This act is a direct vio- i lation of good fnitli and is only another step in the subjection of popular govo'liment to Imperial domination. We believe that any attempt at fiscal restrictions, national boycotts, or the like, will inevitably bring in their train legacies of undying rivalry, hatred and prolonged war. There can bo no stimulus to international ill-will so potent as an attempt, on the part of imperialists, to shut' out from a free interchange of commodities nations which have become great in the world s trade and commerce. The friendship of nations is the best security for future peace. In conclusion, recognizing the present tendency to organize Government en an imperial basis, we protest against every attempt by "imperial cinference, "imperial" executive cabinet, or otherwise, to belittle and undermine, ill any way, those rights and privileges of self-government so long pertaining to the people of tins dominion.—Yours faithfully. Chas. It. Maekie, Secretary.