Fighting Conscription.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 64, 31 May 1912, Page 1

Fighting Conscription.

Gibbon writes: "A single robber or a few associates are branded with their genuine name; but (he exploits of a numerous baud assume tho character of lawful and honorable war." * * * Public bodies throughout New Zealand are passing resolutions applauding the Minister of Defence for his action upon the question of militarism. This is quite understandable, since tho master class control all of those public bodies endorsing the question. * • » A recent proclamation issued from tho Dominion "War OHiec" intimates that unless registration is generally effected by May .'ll divers pains and penalties will be inflicted upon those outside the pale of militarism. The ''•Territorials" of lYtone came ou __t__k stru<o ' asfc W<H '' V "- appears >_jM_rTf the preceding evening drill was pfirUonged an hour by certain military martinets, in addition to which a lino of 10s. was inflicted in so mo cases. The following evening tho "bold defenders" turned up to the drill shed again, but absolutely refused to come to heel at the bidding of drill instructors. An "army" ou strike, that was the spectacle, those bloodthirsty wieldors of the instructors' baton witnessed. It is said that the conscripts affected intend to bring their case fully befor" the public. It's a foregone conclusion, wo think, that tho daylie prose will suppress any infonuatioji iianded it. Apropos of tho "Territorial strike" at Petono, it would appear as though this paper's oft-repeated statements ancnt the conduct of military instruc-

tors is coining true. Once the military system is fastened securely upon a people, tho military authorities take that action as renders opposition to it, such as was given expression to at Petone, impossible. If the military authorities of Now Zealand were quite assured of their meal tickets, it is a safe prophecy that tho insubordination at Petone would be ruthlessly dealt with. _ • • It is vain to weop like thunder over some bad break or blunder, for the past, my friend, is written, and we cannot change the tale, and 1 always have tho willies when J see some silly billys putting up their lamentations at the place where people wail. Jt is morbid, it is ghoulish, to be brooding o'er the foolish, idiotic stunts you've pulled off in the days that are no more; hotter look ahead and ponder on tho bright days over yonder, where the country of tho future waits with sirens on its shore. Many wayward paths I've wandered, Youth and Love I've rashly squandered, with the ogres and the monsters I have wasted golden years; but you never see mc silting all forgetful of my knitting, renirroe.ing ancient blunders and bedewing (hem with tears. Foolish arc the fears that blind us for the time that lies behind us, wasted are the sighs we're heaving for the phantoms of dead days; for the sun is shining o'er us, and the (imo that lies before us is the, time we ought to think of—so get busj'j fifty ways!— Walt Mason.