Things We Ought to Know.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 32, 8 March 1912, Page 6

Things We Ought to Know.

PASSIVE RESISTERS' UNION.

Sir,—Wβ hope that you will moke the, best possible use of the following account of our doings in Christchurch in regard to the Defence Act. We recognieo tliat your paper is the only sympathetic ono herCj and that it is eiiculatc-d in the homes of those who (if this pernicious Act is allowed to be will ho made to suffer all the wrongs and hardships which inevitably follow the enforcing of such an Act; consequently, we sincerely hopo that you will continue the excellent work that you have so nobly begun, and never cease until the Act is wiped off the Statute Book. In Christ-church we have formed an organisation which we have named the Passive Resistors' Union, all members pledging themselves, to have nothing to do with the Act, and absolutely refusing to attend drills or anything else. At tdio present time, wo have a membership of 217, which number is in.creasing every day. Wo are liavir.g meetings every'week', aiid one or more' boys belong to the Union deliver addresses. Only boys under the age are allowed into our meetings, except the reporters. We have, had badges printed for our members to wear, and we also hare, had printed a thousand manifestoes, with 55 names on each one, and they have boon distributed all around the town. We can't keep going without money, so we got to work with some- subscription lists, with the result that we can get a lawyer to defend a lot of us boys and also can advertise our meeting!? in the morning papers. In fact, Tve are getting bettc-T supported, so far as practical sympathy is concerned) than the League itself.

Tho drills are a dismal failure line. Wo boys arc at the drilliiall every nijiiit persuading boys to stay out and join the. anti-militnvitt brigade, and 'we have mot with considerable snores. They average about 25 per cent, every iiifiht of hoys liable to turn up for drill. In conclusion. I may say that we boys will never give in. Our forofat hers fought hard and long for the liberty we now have, and we will not surrender it to tho military despots whilo we have breath to last out.— Yours, etc., J. K. AVORRALL, Joint secretary Christehureh Passive Registers' Union.