Another Exploded Fallacy.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 57, 12 April 1912, Page 3

Another Exploded Fallacy.

WHO ARE THE "ABLE-BODIED" AND THE "UNFIT?"

By E. H. C. RiDDER

Besides being repeatedly told by the military parrot-like fraternity that we nxe n,ot doing anything "for the State " unless we take up soldiering, wo have it dinned into our ears and thrust before our eyes by politicians, ecclesiastics, and jingoistic newspapers that it is the "duty of every ablebodied man to defend his country." The statement is a fallacy—and bub another trick to gull the unwary. The very people—politicians, ecclesiastics, magistrates, etc. —who are so keen on telling, us what our duty is ore themselves ail exempted from that duty. Oh, noble philosophy 1 If they are so sincere about it all, why don't they object to their being exempted from training and from service? Aro they the "privileged" taken-for-graiitcd "unfits ?" What makes matters worse, besides their disclaimer to bo included with the "able-bodied," they do not seem to be even, "able-minded" either. Else why did they push the defenco of a country (which they count so much a necessity) on to the b&cks of mere children and minors ? Tlhe point is, if soldiering is no fit occupation for grown-up men—"cultured" politicians, clergymen, magistrates and all the other "exompteds"—by what method of reasoning is it deemed to be a fit occupation for children? Of course, soldiering is no fit occupation for children. Yet because, the children possessed not even a tinpot vote to constitutionally (nice word that) —to constitutionally register a protest, the political "unfits" (in a depravity that well emphasises their "unfitness") saddled that "supreme national and universal duty" on to the children's backs. 0 noble scheme! 0 crafty schemers! 1 wonder can it be one of tho samples of "Christian ideals in modern legislation"—according to Mr. Ceo. Lauraason, M.P.? If the flouting of. parental-opinions, tho prostitution of. conscience, the jailing and. disfranchising of boys, and their attempted coercion by that gentleman (?) whilst in jail are "ChrJetian idenle," where will w* get to by suoh

legislation, if there is still more to come? ■Workers, keep your cyps open. . If the "cuftured" people that are ''exempted" under the Defence Act wore compelled, with you, to take their share in defence, they would tale good care to see that there would be-no uiore wsr.