The Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, DECEMB. 7, 1916. LAW AND ORDER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1647, 7 December 1916, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, DECEMB. 7, 1916. LAW AND ORDER.

ELSLWIIHKL in liiis issue are sol out 1 ho regulations, published in a. Gazette Extraordinary, lu deal with ,-d irrers-np of slrife.Already a number of extremists in this country have been at work to harrass the Government in its efforts to help the Umpire in its hour of trial. A great industrial upheaval has been openly threatened by these (irebrands, with the object of bringing about the repeal of Compulsory Service. Here is a sample utterance by Semple at Auckland this week, vide the Herald: “In describing the anti-conscription campaign he said that the psychological effect of his experiences in Australia, had kindled for him a rebellion in his soul, and, regardless of consequences, he intended to .light ‘the infamous, rotten law.’ which had been passed upon the heads of the people of Xew Zealand. In Australia ill had been said to him, ‘Semple, whatever you do, we will be with you, morally, Jinaneially, in spirit, and in any other way.’ He had a telegram in his possession to (.he effect, that, every coal miner had received instructions not to present himself if he were drawn in the ballot. Miners did not want exemption. They would say to ‘Jimmy’ Allen. ‘Take your bribe back again.' They were exempt by instructions because they had got t heir backs up. People who had hooted the miners were now asking for help, and the miners were going to see before many weeks how muck there was in those people. Let them make no mistake about that! The speaker, who indulged in much violent language, was vociferously applauded.” We are glad to know that the will of Parliament is not going to be tlouted by Semple and Co. We say the will of Parliament because the Military Service Act passed its third reading by 44 to 4, and without a division in the Lpper House. The Hon. Jas. Allen (Minister for Defence), in a statement to the Post yesterday, said; “The Military Service Act was placed upon the Statute Book to enable Xew Zealand to fulfill its obligations to the men who are serving at the front, and to the Empire and her Allies. It was placed upon the Statute Book to enable us to win tlxe war and obtain a lasting peace.

The ballot provides the fairest way by whieh men van be selected to light for I heir country in its direst need. All honour to the men who have volunteered, hut the lime has (mine when many men find it difficult to judge whether their turn has come. The ballot is the fairest process to assist (hem in deciding'. There is no discrimination. Rich and poor alike have to come. The only method by which men may be exempted from service is the method provided by the Military Service Act —namely, by notice of appeal to the Commandant in order that the case may be heard by the Military Service Board. This is a time in which unity is strength, and I ask tor (he united effort of ail the people of Xew Zealand to assist the Government in carrying out the provisions of the Military Service Act. It must be clearly understood (hat tin* will of Parliament has been undoubtedly expressed, and the Government are bound to carry out. 1 hat will, and will do so.”

Tiff; Attorney-General (ibe lion. A. L. Ilcrdman), referring to the new regulations, said: “Their meaning will be easily comprehended by every man and woman in the country. They amount to another declaration by the Government of Xew Zealand that it is determined that the people of Xew Zealand shall be allowed without interruption of any kind from any class or section of the community to put forth its greatest strength to bring about Ihe defeat of our enemies. Any person who orally or otherwise publishes any utterance whieh may tend to prevent our proper complement of soldiers leaving Xew Zealand for the ■fighting-lute, or which may tend to prevent Xew Zealand product 1 which is mpiired by (he British Government for (he British soldiers leaving Xew Zealand, or which may lend to provoke violence, lawlessness, or disorder, and any person who attempts to enter Xew Zealand for tin l purpose of fomenting' si rile by disseminating the doctrines of any revolutionary organisation must be regarded as an enemy of Britain and an ally of the German Emperor, and such a person should suffer condign punishment. The present is a lime of war —a circumstance (hat many people overlook, and extraordinary measures must be taken to meet extraordinary situations. Tin l news whieh has come to us from over (In 1 sea during the last few days must have convinced everyone (hat it is the duty id' <>very member of a Government throughout the Empire and of (‘very man owing allegiance l to the British Grown to put self-in-terest to one side and strive with all their united power to help (o bring victory to our arms. Tinted effort and enthusiasm for our cause* means confusion among our enemies and success within a reasonable time; but discussion, agitation, disorder, and internal strife are viewed by the Germans with gleeful satisfaction, and perhaps mean an indefinite 1 postponement of victorv.”