The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, December 16, 1915. CONSCRIPTION!

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1486, 16 December 1915, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, December 16, 1915. CONSCRIPTION!

What’s wrong with the Government, anyway ? The methods adopted by patriotic societies throughout the Dominion to raise funds for our soldiers comforts and provision for the returned wounded is about played out. Thousands of pounds have been voluntarily contributed tor laudable purposes, to say nothing of the splendid work accomplished by sewing guilds, etc. But why the necessity lor a continuation of all this voluntary effort ? The spirit of sacrifice has been abundantly manifested on the part of those who can afford least, while those who are making huge profits out of the war are making comparatively no sacrifices. War profits have been made, not to the tune of thousands, but of millions, in this country and yet nothing is being done by the Government to commandeer this surplus wealth. Our young men are asked to make the supreme sacrifice for King and country —and quite right—but is it not a fact that they are also making the supreme sacrifice to protect the wealth and to continue the affluence and prosperity of those who are giving least. Give us conscription to bring the shirker and slacker into line —we welcome it —but first of all let the Government rise to the occasion and commandeer the surplus wealth, not only to equip our men right up to the hilt, provide for each man’s comfort and health, but also to adequately compensate the widow and fatherless, the old mother, the returned maimed soldier, in short all dependents of those who fight for us and against all that is threatening to crush our liberty and the traditions so dear to every loyal British subject. Let the Government commandeer the wealth and foot the bill. First things first. Let those who have most to lose be compelled to make the greater sacrifice. The time has arrived for the Government to throw aside its shilly-shally political jobbery and rise to the occasion by enforcing conscription of men and money instead of procrastinating and continuing the present milk and water policy.