Posers For Mr Barnard

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 302, 22 December 1939, Page 6

Posers For Mr Barnard

Referendum on Conscription VOLUNTARY SYSTEM GROSSLY UNFAIR AND UNJUST For Press Association. DUNEDIN, Dec. £l. Some pertinent questions were asked to-day by Mr. W. Downie Stewart in reply to what he described in an interview as the “astonishing" statemeut issued by the Speaker of the House of Representatives (Hon. W. E. Barnard) on the subject of conscription. “Mr. Barnard savs that if it cornea to a question of cons ‘ption we should get a mandate by referendum before adopting it," said Mr. .Stewart. “But on the major issue as to whether we should go to war no referendum was taken, and quite rightly. It it was unnecessary to consult tho people about going to war," Mr. Stewart added, * ‘ why consult them on the lesser issue as to how to fight tho war? “In fact the Government did net even consult Parliament before agreeing to help Britain though iu the past it has always said that would be imperative. I was glad they acted promptly and ignored their past views, but it looks like swallowing the carnal and straining at the gnat to say you will commit New' Zealand to war without a referendum but you will not conscript without a referendum, “Mr. Barnard said that having no son he is not prepared to compel other people’s sons to go to war," Mr. .Stewart continued. “Does this mean that if a referendum on conscription is taken all the spinsters and bachelors should bo disfranchised? “If this rule is to apply in war time, why should people without children be allowed to compel other people's children to go to school in peace time? Why should members of Parliament without children vote for laws to compel parents to maintain their children? “Mr. Barnard thinks," Mr. .Stewart concluded, “that if the so-called voluntary system produces enough recruits that thereby the system justifies itself, but surely this proves the fact that the system is grossly unfair and unjust. “The question Mr. Barnard should answer is this: One family with four sons of fighting age sends all four ty> the war. Another family with four sons of fighting age sends none of them to the war. What equality of sacrifice is there in such a case? Yet that is what actually happens at present under the socalled voluntary system."